David Beckham’s resignation speech as captain of England “was tearful, powerful and emotionalbut also totally correct,” writes Phil McNulty of BBC Sport. Beckham had a decent World Cupa goal and a few assists, but the soft-spoken, mild-mannered man is no captain. BBC Sport takes a slightly harsher view of Beckham’s World Cup, labeling it “another poor performance in a major tournament,” and the paper adds that had he decided to stay on as England captain, Steve McClaren would have likely stripped him of the role once he takes office. You can say what you will about Beckham’s on-field performance, but the fact remains that England wouldn’t have gotten as far as they did without him. Time and again, his crossing and set pieces helped England win when it played badly. However, Beckham’s no captain; he never quite looks ready to fall down and die for his team the way you’d expect Steven Gerrard or John Terry would. BBC’s bottom line: Sven appointed him captain six years ago, and after three failed campaigns ending in successive quarterfinal defeats, it’s time that the captain follow the boss in relinquishing his position.