Biggest mistake not giving England squad rest before World Cup campaign: Capello

London, July 3(ANI): England manager Fabio Capello has admitted that his biggest World Cup mistake was not giving a break to the squad before the tournament.

According to reports, Capello is convinced that he should have scrapped the two-week training camp in Austria to let his players refresh themselves following a hectic Premier League season.

"Fabio now thinks it would have been best to let the players go away with their wives, girlfriends and families at the end of the season," The Sun quoted a close friend of Capello, as saying.

"They could have let off steam, had a rest and then come back fresh for the World Cup finals, but he was so determined to do well in South Africa that he took them to Austria to train and prepare."

"The problem when he got there, though, was how lifeless and knackered the players were after a season in the Premier League," the friend added.

The friend also claimed that the England stars were "tired and jaded" by the time they landed in South Africa for the tournament.

"Of course, by then it was too late to do anything about it, but he won't make the same mistake again. He's learned a valuable lesson," he added.

England was knocked out of the World Cup following a 4-1 loss to Germany in their Round of 16 clash. (ANI)