Former England manager Fabio Capello will not need any help interpreting the feelings of one player who has backed Harry Redknapp to assume control of the national side.

Rio Ferdinand joined Wayne Rooney in backing the Spurs manager to be the next England boss, and could not resist an apparent dig at the outgoing Italian who has often had to rely on translating services to express his views.

Manchester United star Ferdinand took to Twitter to reveal his feelings, saying: “I think we need an English manager now, we don’t need anything else lost in translation… Harry Redknapp would be my choice by a distance.”

The comment looked like a swipe at Capello, who has faced criticism from the media and football pundits over his poor command of the English language since taking over from Steve McClaren four years ago.

The Italian quit following showdown talks with Football Association over the governing body’s decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy, despite Capello’s feelings on the matter.