David Beckham has decided to step down as England captain after holding the role for six years.
But the Real Madrid star does want to continue his international career.

Beckham revealed his decision at England's final press conference in Germany in the wake of their World Cup quarter-final defeat by Portugal.

The 31-year-old midfielder said: "I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under new coach Steve McClaren."


It was England caretaker manager Peter Taylor who made Beckham captain in 2000.

And Beckham was keen to thank the now Crystal Palace manager when he read from his prepared statement in Baden Baden on Sunday.

With tears in his eyes, the former Manchester United player said: "On 15 November 2000 Peter Taylor gave me the greatest honour of my career in making me the captain of England, fulfilling my childhood dream.

"It has been an honour and a privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish to continue to play for England and look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren in any way I can."

Beckham was forced to leave the pitch against Portugal in the 52nd minute with a leg injury. That England went on to lose the game on penalties made Beckham's announcement even more emotional.

I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful


He said: "I came to this decision some time ago but I had hoped to announce it on the back of a successful World Cup. Sadly that wasn't to be.

"This decision has been the most difficult of my career to date. But after discussing it with my family and those closest to me I feel the time is right.

"Our performance during this World Cup has not been enough to progress further and both myself and all the players regret that and are hurt by that more than people realise.

"I wish to thank all the players for their support during my time as captain, as well as Peter Taylor, Sven and all the coaches.

"I would also like to thank the press and, of course, all the England supporters who have both been great to me and my team-mates. I want them to know for me it has been an absolute honour.

"Finally, I have lived the dream, I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England and for that I will always be grateful."


Beckham was an important link between the players at this year's World Cup and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

And he led by example against Greece in 2001 when his curling last-gasp free-kick sent England to the 2002 World Cup finals, where they were also beaten on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Eriksson said of Beckham's decision: "He's been a very good captain and very proud to do the job.

"I was a bit surprised when he told me but you have to respect his decision.

"It is now Steve McClaren's job to decide on Beckham's successor. He has a lot of choices that are more than capable of doing the job. It is very much up to him."

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oh nooo bless him! i saw him on itv yesterday his eyes were so red from crying! i wonder who'll be captain now? neville? owen? lampard? terry? gerrard?

Notttt Terry for christs sake. Anyone but him, he's a waste of space!

I reckon it should be Gerrard personally.

owenis the fittest, out of the options...but gerrard played a grreat match testerday (not includin the shoot-outs)

Its not about how fit they are! God that really annoys me when girls do that.

I reckon it should be Gerrard personally.

Agreed.

Hey Rich
Long time no talk eh? hehe
Its a long story involving someone going to hospital but its all good now
Well i hope you okeys and you had a brill birthday!
Even though Terry might not be the best player i think he will be a good leader

.:emostar:.
xoxox

Its Not A Deathwish, Its A Fashion Statement
When I Say Shotgun, You Say Wedding
Lovin' Rich

i think jt will be captain and gerrard as vice captain

My football teams message boards are running a topic on this too, and I will say what I said on there.
In my opinion I would like to see John Terry as captain. He may not be the greatest of players but he has good leadership qualities and loves his country.
Beckham still wants to carry on playing and he said he'd help the new manager and the new captain as much as he can.
I dunno about anyone else, but it feels like the end of an era!!

quote:

Originally posted by ForeverFriend:
My football teams message boards are running a topic on this too, and I will say what I said on there.
In my opinion I would like to see John Terry as captain. He may not be the greatest of players but he has good leadership qualities and loves his country.
Beckham still wants to carry on playing and he said he'd help the new manager and the new captain as much as he can.
I dunno about anyone else, but it feels like the end of an era!!

i agree but i do think terry is a good player not a great player but a good player and has done alot for the team (and chelsea) and is very dedicated i mean he missed the birth of his twins for the team! and yes it does feel like the end of an era new manager and captain! though i think we are better of without sven i mean who plays 4-1-4-1 we all knew it was a stupid formation to play when they are better at playin 4-4-2!

It would've been nice to see david hold the world cup before quitting after 6yrs but it wasn't meant to be but good luck to him in the future and the whole team!

i nearly cried when i watched it live this morning he has come so far and i think he has done his country proud. i have always supported him and will continue to do so.

as for the new captain, i think it is between neville, terry and gerrard.
neville has done good at united since roy keane left and i think he will do a good job, but he is getting a bit old now.
terry is a good choice, he is a solid defender and how people can say he is a waste of space i have no idea, he is also a born leader.
gerrard is an excellent player, and really showed his leadership qualities in the champs league in every game when liverpool won it, and i think one of the main reasons for his underperformance at the world cup was because he has been playing football almost week in week out for liverpool for nearly 12 months!

ultimately i think it will be either terry or gerrard

I'm proudf My team England Our Captain David Beckham and Offer him my thanks for what he done for for

BYe Becks We will miss you

As for the next skipper it has to be stevie .G

Well there has been some highs and lows whilst Beckham has been captain and he was sometimes a great captain lol but who will wear the captains armband my guesses are Gerrard,Lampard or Neville, hopefully Gerrard though!

I was thinking that too, when I watched the German team, Klinsmann used to be a great player, and now he is manager, Olli Kahn, is an amazing Goalie and he is now sat on a bench waiting to train future goalie hopefuls.
England should take a slice of their convictions, they believe in themselves and are not afraid of the public opinions.
Watching Becks give his talk, was sad, but it was needed, Gerrard should be captain. Good luck to them, and thank god sven is gone now, we need someone with more oomph so maybe lose the new manager and find a better one.

I've always hated David Beckham so much but i'm not sure what it was but i now am really starting to like him. When he was almost crying during that press conference you have to feel sorry for him and he managed not to cry until he left the room and he burst into tears. What was really sweet was how he came in with a ripped piece of paper and read it from that.

STEVEN GERRARD FOR THE NEXT ENGLAND CAPTAINCY!!!!!!! (Even though if Steve McClaren had any sense he would Choose Michael Owen as he has had experience leading the team out, defo not Gary Neville as he is too old now to hold it for long and will retire in a few years, John terry maybe as he is a good captain at Chelski, Defo not fat Lampard he's S***!!!!