david beckham quits as captian!

Becks quits as skipper

A tearful David Beckham has quit as England captain but will carry on playing international football.

The Real Madrid midfielder has led the team 59 times since 2000 and he was clearly upset as he made the announcement.

Beckham said: "I have lived the dream. I'm extremely proud to have worn the armband and been captain of England, for that I will always be grateful.

"Having been captain for 58 of my 95 caps, I feel the time is right to pass on the armband as we enter a new era under Steve McClaren."

Beckham admitted he had decided some time ago he would stand down as skipper at the end of the World Cup but he had dreamed the announcement would be made in different circumstances.

He added: "I hoped to make 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 close to me I feel the time is right."

Beckham's captaincy spanned Sven-Goran Eriksson's tenure as England coach but the Swede expected the midfielder to continue in the role.

Eriksson said: "I think David has been a very good captain. He did good work always.

"He has been very proud of doing the job. I was a little bit disappointed when he told me his decision to finish just before he announced it.

"But you have to respect that and that's it. He has been good.

"I think you will soon have a press conference with Steve McClaren and I think he has a lot of choices of who can be captain. There are many."

Michael Owen has been England's vice captain under Eriksson, but he will not be fit in time for the first Euro 2008 qualifiers later this year.

Chelsea skipper John Terry is thought to be the favourite to take over but Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could also be a candidate.