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England captain Steven Gerrard retires from international football England captain Steven Gerrard retires from international football
(about 9 hours later)
Steven Gerrard has announced his international retirement after making 114 appearances in a career spanning 14 years. Steven Gerrard said he “agonised” over the decision to retire from international football following England’s dire World Cup campaign but had to be selfish and quit to preserve his career with Liverpool.
The 34-year-old, who captained England during the disappointing World Cup campaign, said he had “agonised” over the decision since returning from Brazil. “This has been a very difficult decision, one of the toughest I’ve had to make in my career,” he told FATV. “I have agonised over this since coming back from Brazil and have spoken to family, friends and people close to me in the game before coming to this point. The 34-year-old announced on Monday that he was calling time on an England career of 14 years and 114 caps, the third-highest total in the country’s history. Wayne Rooney, given a cool reception by some England supporters during the team’s final World Cup game against Costa Rica, is among the frontrunners to succeed Gerrard, with Roy Hodgson short of established options for the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign.
“Most importantly, Brendan [Rodgers, his manager at Liverpool] has been fantastic and obviously I have to look after my body as much as possible to ensure I can give everything when I take to the field. To ensure I can keep playing to a high level and giving everything to Liverpool I believe this is the right decision, and having Champions League football back at Anfield is another big factor in my decision.” Gerrard’s retirement was widely anticipated after England were consigned in Brazil this summer to their quickest World Cup exit, although the Liverpool captain says he discussed the decision in depth with Hodgson only recently. Liverpool’s return to the Champions League, the midfielder admitted, was a contributing factor in ending his England career.
Gerrard made his debut in 2000 in a 2-0 win over Ukraine at Wembley and went on to play in six major tournaments, scoring 21 times. He captained the side 38 times and is the third most-capped England player behind Peter Shilton (125) and David Beckham (115). “This has been a very difficult decision, one of the toughest I’ve had to make in my career,” said Gerrard, third behind Peter Shilton and David Beckham in England’s all-time appearance list. “I have agonised over this since coming back from Brazil and have spoken to family, friends and people close to me in the game before coming to this point.
“I’d like to firstly thank my family and friends for all their support throughout my England journey,” Gerrard said. I’d also like to thank everyone who has been part of my international career, from the England managers I’ve played under to the staff at the FA and, of course, all the players I’ve been fortunate to play alongside. “Most importantly Brendan [Rodgers] has been fantastic and obviously I have to look after my body as much as possible to ensure I can give everything when I take to the field. To ensure I can keep playing to a high level and giving everything to Liverpool I believe this is the right decision, and having Champions League football back at Anfield is another big factor in my decision.”
“In particular, the supporters have been amazing, not least in Brazil when they got behind the team despite the disappointing results. Gerrard claimed he remained in “great physical condition” and could play at international level until later this year but feared that would take a toll on the next “two, three, four years” of his club career. He added: “The most important thing for me was not to make an emotional decision or rash decision. I was asked questions before, during and after the World Cup to make a decision on my future and it wasn’t the right time.
“I’d especially like to thank Roy [Hodgson], firstly for giving me the captaincy permanently when he took the job, making me the proudest man in the country and allowing me to fulfil my childhood dream. He has been very understanding over the past few weeks and is a man I will always hold in the highest regard.” “The first time I spoke to Roy properly was this week. I had tried to have an initial chat with him straight after the World Cup but I was too emotional to talk to him; I was still very upset with how the World Cup went. I’d have loved nothing better than to carry on and continue to fight for the England fans moving forward but there is a time when you’re a football player where you’ve got to make the right decision, when you’ve got to be selfish.”
Hodgson was faced with a rebuilding programme after England failed to win a match in Brazil but admits he will be sad to see Gerrard, whom he managed briefly during a short stint at Anfield, go. “While I’m disappointed in the decision I can entirely understand Steven’s situation and can have no complaints given the incredible service he has given to his country,” Hodgson said. “I must respect his wishes due to the discussions we have had and the amount of thought and consideration he himself has given it. Hodgson has now lost the experience of Gerrard and Ashley Cole in recent months and admitted England would miss the captain’s “leadership qualities” during the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign. Gerrard is to take up an ambassadorial role with the Football Association. Wayne Rooney is the favourite to succeed him as captain.
“He is an incredible man and a fantastic footballer who we have all been blessed to see in an England shirt so often. It is never by coincidence that people reach such a staggering figure as 114 caps, it is a mark of his wonderful talent allied to a huge drive and determination to live up to the highest standard. The England manager said: “While I’m disappointed in the decision I can entirely understand Steven’s situation and can have no complaints given the incredible service he has given to his country. I must respect his wishes due to the discussions we have had and the amount of thought and consideration he himself has given it.
“He is not only a player to bring crowds to their feet with moments of brilliance; he was a tremendous captain and an exceptional role model for everyone who was fortunate to come into contact with him. We shall miss his leadership qualities as we look ahead to the qualification campaign with a youthful group of players. I wish him all the best in the future, although I know I can count on his continued support and influence as a helpful presence moving forward.” “He is an incredible man and a fantastic footballer who we have all been blessed to see in an England shirt so often. It is never by coincidence that people reach such a staggering figure as 114 caps. It is a mark of his wonderful talent allied to a huge drive and determination to live up to the highest standard.”
The FA chairman, Greg Dyke, paid tribute to the midfielder, whom he described as an “England great”. The FA chairman, Greg Dyke, described the midfielder as an “England great”. Dyke said: “It is sad news but also gives us the opportunity to celebrate a wonderful career. Steven gave everything for England and he will be missed. He played at the highest level over such a long period. His longevity and determination will see him remembered by everyone as an England great.”
“It is sad news but also gives us the opportunity to celebrate a wonderful career; Steven gave everything for England and he will be missed,” he said. “I saw at first hand his close relationship with Roy, and as a captain he could not have done more for the cause.
“He played at the highest level over such a long period of time – his longevity and determination will see him remembered by everyone as an England great.”