STEVEN GERRARD HAS confirmed he will continue as England captain following talks with manager Roy Hodgson.
The Liverpool midfielder, 32, revealed he will remain the Three Lions skipper despite their exit from the quarter-finals of Euro 2012 after defeat to Italy on penalties.
Gerrard will now lead Hodgson’s side in the qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup, which will begin later this year as England will look to bounce back from yet another disappointing end to a major tournament.
“I had a brief chat with the manager. I’m available as long as I’m wanted at this level and the manager’s told me he wants me to continue and carry on. I’m there, I’m available,” he said.
Gerrard admitted he relished the opportunity to captain his country and feels he gave all he could to help England, including scoring one of the team’s two successful penalties in the shootout against the Azzurri.
“I’ve loved it. I’ve loved the responsibility and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it I’ve tried my best I’ve given everything I’ve got. I gave it my best shot,” he said.
The 32-year-old has been one of England’s most impressive performers at the tournament contributing three assists while leading from the front for Hodgson’s side. However, he admits despite taking some pleasure from his own success it takes nothing away from the hurt he is feeling over his side’s failure to reach the last four of the competition.
“I think performance-wise I’m reasonably satisfied with my own level that I played at. It still doesn’t crack over the pain and the hurt I’m feeling the same as I have done in previous tournaments,” he said.
“At the moment I’m in a zone of personal frustration and disappointment because we’ve come so close to ending that quarter-final hoodoo.”
