Fabio Capello was frequently prickly when he was boss of Real. Yesterday Sid Lowenoticed a big difference

The trendy glasses were familiar and there was no escaping that chin, but it was a different Fabio Capello who took his place in front of the British media at Soho Square from the one who regularly did battle with the Spanish at Real Madrid's Valdebebas HQ and the pine-panelled press room of the Santiago Bernabeu. More relaxed, more at ease and, yes, there were even a few broad smiles beamed out too.

In Madrid, Capello was constantly on the defensive. Every answer he gave began with a "Mira, ..." - "Look, ...". Hardly surprising when every question was an attack from a press corps that professed grudging admiration at best, outright animosity at worst.

In Spain, Capello is seen as the arch-Italian, derided as defensive and incredibly lucky. His appointment has provoked barbed remarks about how Wembley will be bored to tears.

Capello could never understand the animosity. But he could return it. He did not and would not suffer fools. It was not that the press got to him - one felt that he did not really care what they said - but that he had little respect for them. One-on-one, given time and a desire to talk in depth about matters purely footballing, he could be engaging, fascinating and even likeable. But in the free-for-all, public trial of a press conference, he was often prickly. "Look, ..." he would shoot back and that would be the prelude for a withering and often entertaining response.

On the face of it, this time was different. After Brian Barwick had given way to the Italian there was a familiarity about the way Capello shot glances around, seeking out his questioners. But if in Madrid he wanted to look his accusers in the eye, his gaze boring into their very soul, yesterday he wanted to see who to smile at. And when at one stage he responded "good question" you thought he might actually mean it.

When he said "good question" in Madrid he really meant "unlike all the other rubbish I've been asked so far".

Given Capello's attention to detail and his deep, almost pathological professionalism, it was surprising how poorly he delivered his introduction in English - especially considering the fact he clearly understood some of the questions thrown at him. But otherwise, he seemed to take the occasion in his stride, hinting that he would be a less strict coach with England than he had been in club football and looking like he has already taken on that personality. And he did not say "look" once.