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Beckham axed by new England coach
 Beckham gave up the England captaincy after the World Cup finals. LONDON, England -- David Beckham was dropped when new England coach Steve McClaren named his first squad on Friday, for next week's friendly against European champions Greece. The 31-year-old Real Madrid midfielder, who has made 94 appearances for the national team, stepped down as England captain after the World Cup. Beckham has said his goal was to win 100 England caps, but that has been put on hold as McClaren plans for the forthcoming European Championships. Beckham was skipper on 59 occasions before Chelsea defender John Terry was appointed to succeed him Thursday. The former Manchester United star hit a match-winning free kick against Ecuador in June to become the first Englishman to score in three World Cups. But Beckham picked up ankle and knee injuries in the quarterfinal loss against Portugal. Beckham, who made his England debut against Moldova in 1997, has returned to training and played for Madrid for 45 minutes of a preseason friendly against Major League Soccer's DC United in Seattle on Wednesday. Former Arsenal defender Sol Campbell and goalkeeper David James were also omitted while McClaren announced that former England coach Terry Venables would be his assistant. West Ham United striker Dean Ashton was selected for the first time, while there were recalls for strikers Jermain Defoe and Marcus Bent, both surprisingly left out of the World Cup squad by former coach Sven-Goran Eriksson. Beckham limped off with an Achilles tendon injury during England's defeat by Portugal on July 1 and announced that he was standing down as captain after six years the following day. The former Manchester United midfielder, who made his England debut in 1996 and has won 94 caps, 59 of them as captain, became the first England player to score in three World Cups when he netted the winner against Ecuador in June. Despite standing down as captain, Beckham had insisted that he still wanted to be part of McClaren's plans. "Having spoken to Steve McClaren this week I can fully understand that a new manager should want to make his mark on the team and build towards the next World Cup," Beckham said in a statement. "I'm proud to have played for England for 10 years and my passion for representing my country remains as strong as ever. "I'd like to wish the best of luck to John Terry and will offer him my complete support in the future." Tottenham Hotspur's Aaron Lennon, who is in the squad, is widely tipped to replace Beckham on the right side of midfield as is Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips, back in favor after not being picked for the World Cup by Eriksson. Beckham's hopes of emulating the late Bobby Moore by captaining his country to a first major trophy since 1966 have always ended in frustration and despair. His highlights in an England shirt include his fantastic last-minute free kick against Greece in 2001, which rescued a 2-2 draw and a place in the 2002 World Cup finals, and his penalty winner against Argentina in Japan. There have been some lows, however, most notably his red card against Argentina at France 98 for a kick at Diego Simeone -- an act that led to vilification at home.  McClaren is planning to take the side in a different direction. Beckham needs six more caps to join four other players who have accumulated a century of England appearances, the others being Peter Shilton (125), Bobby Moore (108), Bobby Charlton (106) and Billy Wright (105). McClaren said: "I spoke with David last Monday and notified him of my decision," "I told him I was looking to the future and said I was looking to change things, go in a different direction and he was not included." McClaren added: "I have great respect for David. He was a fantastic captain for England, a great player, and still is a great player. "He took the news very well, although he was disappointed. "I got the reaction I wanted, and the reaction was he would continue to fight for his place, and I will never close the door on that." McClaren said he liked speedy wingers on either flank and Beckham did not fit into that category. "I wanted to establish a team for 2008 (European Championship). I like width, I like pace and I like penetration," he said. "We'll do it my way with the players I've picked and I'll live and die by it. I am the head coach and it's my decision at the end of the day." McClaren has also brought in Steve Round, with whom he worked at Middlesbrough, as a member of his backroom staff. . 
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