THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEMBLEY, England -- Stuart Pearce will take charge of the England team on an interim basis for an upcoming friendly following Fabio Capello's resignation.

While the European Championship is still four months away, England has a friendly against the Netherlands on Feb. 29.

"His first thought was managing his country without any conditions at all," FA chairman David Bernstein said.

The 49-year-old Pearce, a former Manchester City manager, runs the British Olympic and England under-21 teams.

"He has huge experience outside and inside the organization," Bernstein said. "He has been working with the under-21 team and has been working with Fabio for some time. I have got great confidence in Stuart, we will be in good hands. Our priority then will be to appoint a new England manager."

Capello quit Wednesday, angry that he had not been consulted by the FA over its decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy.