McClaren leads tributes to Beckham

David Beckham played 115 times for England
17 May 2013

Former England manager Steve McClaren hailed David Beckham as a great of the modern game after the former national team captain announced his retirement.

Beckham, who was instantly dropped when McClaren inherited the England job from Sven-Goran Eriksson in 2006, is to quit the game at the end of the season. He bows out as a Ligue 1 winner with Paris St Germain, with the 38-year-old deciding the time is right to step away from his illustrious playing career.

Beckham eventually won over McClaren in their England days, earning a recall. And McClaren said: "He was a great player. He made the very most of his talents through sheer hard work and professionalism and always doing extra work on the training field. He inspired his team-mates through his performances."

McClaren added: "He was a winner, he's won so many things in his career, and that was infectious on his team-mates. And he was an inspiring personality to young players with his behaviour and professionalism on and off the field."

Beckham, who won 115 caps for England, more than any other outfield player, had a role in bringing the Olympic Games to London, but it will be his footballing feats for Manchester United, Real Madrid, PSG, LA Galaxy and AC Milan for which he will be remembered.

Beckham's former Manchester United team-mate and long-time friend Gary Neville is in Paris, having travelled to meet Beckham. He discussed the midfielder's decision with him and was able to offer some insight into his thinking. "He just feel it's the right time," Neville told Sky Sports News. "He just feels he's taken it as far as he can."

England manager Roy Hodgson told Sky Sports News: "I wish him well in the future whatever he chooses to do and I personally hope that will be in football. David is a man of many talents and a lot of people now will be wanting him for different jobs and roles, some of which could take him away from us in football."

Football Association chairman David Bernstein praised Beckham for his on and off-field efforts for English football. A statement carried by the FA's official website read: "I would like to pay tribute to David for his outstanding contribution to English football. He has been such a great ambassador for the game at home and abroad and was a tremendous performer for his clubs and England."

Sven-Goran Eriksson, whose tenure as England manager between 2001 and 2006 coincided with some of Beckham's best years, not to mention his captaincy, told BBC Radio Five Live: "He is a fantastic footballer and a fantastic person. All over the world you say 'David Beckham' and people know who that is. I don't think any other football player is more popular than he."

AC Milan posted a statement of thanks to the player on their official website. It said: "His arrival at the club may have been greeted with some skepticism but his performances as a player quickly won over the non-believers. Two goals against Genoa and Bologna as well as 29 appearances with AC Milan helped the team towards two Champions League qualifications. Thank you and good luck from all the fans and everyone at the club to David Beckham."

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