LONDON (AFP) - England general manager Franco Baldini is to join Roma at the end of England's Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, the Football Association (FA) announced Thursday.
A long-time associated of England boss Fabio Capello, Baldini is regarded as the best English speaker among the Italian regime overseeing the England team.
As such, Baldini has acted as a conduit between Capello and his players but he has also long been linked with a move to Serie A side Roma.
However, Baldini could be used on a one-off basis for a friendly against an as yet unnamed opponent in February and also at Euro 2012 should England qualify for the finals.
"Franco has been given a good opportunity by Roma but I am happy he will stay with me and the England team until after the qualification programme," Capello said.
"For me, this is very important. We can decide after this if Franco will be with us for the European Championships."
FA chairman David Bernstein added: "We respect his decision to accept the offer from Roma.
"I would like to thank Franco for the professional way in which he has handled this and maintained his sole commitment to working with Fabio and the team until after the qualifying games."
England are by no means certain to qualify for Euro 2012, with a match away to Montenegro, with whom they could only manage a goalless draw at Wembley in October, set to decide whether they will qualify automatically for the finals in Poland and Ukraine, or have to take part in a playoff the following month.
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