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England's
former captain David Beckham (2nd L) arrives from Germany with his
wife Victoria (L) and sons Cruz and Brooklyn (R) at Stansted airport
near London on July 2, 2006. Beckham resigned as England captain on
Sunday following the team's defeat to Portugal in the quarter-finals
of the World Cup in Germany on Saturday.
[Reuters] |
The England midfielder, on the verge of tears, read a statement
announcing he would step down
with the change of manager, as Sven-Goran Eriksson hands over to Steve
McClaren.
Beckham said former caretaker England manager Peter Taylor had given
him "the greatest honor of my career ... and fulfilled my childhood
dream," by appointing him as captain in November 2000 for a friendly with Italy in Turin.
But he continued: "I feel the time is right to pass on the
armband.
"As we enter a new era under Steve McClaren, it has been an honor and a
privilege to have captained our country and I want to stress that I wish
to continue to play for England.
"And I look forward to helping both the new captain and Steve McClaren
in any way I can.
"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.
Beckham had been in tears after being substituted due to injury early
in the second half of Saturday's agonizing defeat by Portugal in a
penalty shootout.
It followed a Group B campaign and a second-round victory over Ecuador,
secured with a Beckham free
kick, in which England had never really got into gear.
"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 realize," said the 31-year-old.
Beckham thanked the players, Taylor, Eriksson and the coaching staff
for their support during his time as captain, along with the media and the
England fans.
"For me it has been an absolute honor.
"Finally, I have lived the
dream," Beckham said, now with his voice faltering with
the emotion.
"I am extremely proud to have worn the armband and to have been captain
of England. And for that I will always be grateful."
Beckham, wearing a navy blue England suit then got up and left the
media center at England's training ground at Buhlertal, near their Baden
Baden hotel.
(Agencies)
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