Liverpool boss disappointed that Steven Gerrard has not retained England captaincy
Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson is disappointed that Steven Gerrard was unable to retain his England captaincy.
The midfielder had assumed the role in the absence of Rio Ferdinand, after the Manchester United central defender suffered an injury in the build-up to England’s 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa.
Though he could not help England progress beyond the last 16 of the tournament, Gerrard’s leadership had been hailed as he led his team to an unbeaten start to their 2012 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying campaign.
Ferdinand again named captain
But Ferdinand reclaimed the armband when he returned to Fabio Capello’s line up for the Euro 2012 qualifying draw with Montenegro at Wembley on Tuesday, October 12.
Hodgson told his club’s official website that he was confused as to why Capello would immediately hand the captaincy back to Ferdinand in place of Liverpool skipper Gerrard.
"I was disappointed to see that he had the England captaincy taken away from him — I've got to be honest and say I don't really understand that decision. As much as Rio [Ferdinand] is a great player as well, I think if you have been out for a long time through
injury and you're making your first England appearance for a long, long time, someone who actually had the captaincy for three games and had done brilliantly deserves to keep it."
"I haven't spoken to Steven about the subject, but I just hope he is not too disappointed about it because at the moment, in his form and with his ability and desire to take responsibility, he plays a true captain's innings for us and I think he did it for
England in the three games before [Tuesday night]."
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