(openPR) - Capello’s under-fire management took another hit this week as poor TV ratings for the England friendly against Hungary reflected the nation’s disappointment in the England team.

ITV pulled in an average rating of 6.35million* for the match this Wednesday (11 August) - a significant drop from the 7.1 million average for friendly matches under Capello.

The data, compiled by Carat, shows the nation was hopeful of England and Capello prior to the World Cup - with average viewing figures for Capello’s World Cup 2010 qualification match attracting 8.2 million in comparison to 7.4 million for Sven-Göran Eriksson qualification campaign.

However, in comparison to his predecessors Capello has always struggled with attracting viewers at friendly matches. Steve McClaren pulled in an average of 7.3million while Erikkson attracted an average 7.26million.

Carat deputy managing director Rob Steve Hobbs said: “England’s disappointing performance at the World Cup has certainly had a negative impact on viewing figures. Capello and his team have lost loyal TV fans.”

*BARB figures

Notes to the editors:
Carat was the first independent media specialist in Europe and a pioneer of unbundling - the separation of media services from full service creative agencies. It is now a global independent media communications network represented in 82 countries and offers clients a range of services including: communications planning, sponsorship, interactive, direct, event, pr, consumer research and insight, business to business, international services, regional and global client servicing. Carat is part of Aegis Media, the media communications business of Aegis Group plc. www.carat.com.

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