If only he had a voice, if only he showed a general's leadership, then David Beckham could emerge as England's next captain. But the prospect of Alan Shearer being his national coach will have to wait for at least five years.

At 25, it is not impossible to believe that Manchester United midfield player Beckham could grow into the captaincy, for England need a charismatic figurehead to rise from their current anonymity.

Shearer, the player, has gone, Tony Adams is bedevilled by injury and Sol Campbell may find himself overtaken by the young defenders emerging around him.

Step forward the boy Beckham. Certainly he has the ability to remain the focal part of any England side for as long as he wants. Also, he has the respect of the other players, not to say their admiration.

Beckham is bright enough to absorb the lessons from Euro 2000 that 40-yard passes which go astray at international level are counter-productive because you do not get the ball back.

Far easier for him to retain possession by playing the simple pass, the easy ball that knits the midfield together.

He could be just as dangerous in the centre of midfield with a short passing game as he is on the right, and as a dead-ball specialist where so many of England's goals have come from.

'One man team,' said Romania's Dan Petrescu. 'That man is Beckham, England cannot score goals from open play.'

And being slipped the captain's armband may just be what Beckham needs to bring the best out of himself and become the talker and the adviser England need.

Responsibility can change players. At present he says nothing but abounds with passion for the game and rises to any challenge. Being the boss could help convert him from gifted player to an acknowledged international star.

Beckham also cares about playing for his country. A man used to being the centre of attention both on and off the pitch might revel in being centre stage in the place where he most wants to be venerated.

England need a fresh start, a new way of playing and a different chorus line. What better time than to bring in a young and vibrant captain, too.

As for Shearer, the Football Association will have to wait at least five years to tempt him to join the management team. 24 hours after retiring from international football, the former captain claimed he wanted to continue playing club football for at least another four years.

Given that he will probably step into management at Newcastle United if fitness worries reduce his playing career, it is still unlikely he would be ready for the FA to consider until around 2005.

That gives Lancaster Gate an immediate problem. Although they are solidly behind Kevin Keegan, they have been forced onto the back foot by the criticism of his coaching set-up. They are also likely when seeking the next England boss to look for a coach with a proven record in tactical and team play.

Adam Crozier, the FA chief executive, has already commented that Shearer has the charisma for the job. Then again, so too did Keegan.

The first 40 minutes of England's 3-2 defeat by Romania was an embarrassment, and perhaps the worst spell since Keegan took over 15 months ago.

At present the cupboard is bare when searching for a successor, unless the foreign option which has been discussed is followed through.

Keegan would only resign if England failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup Finals, and here he should be helped by a qualifying group that includes Germany, Finland, Greece and Albania.

If England were to be eliminated, Keegan would go and it is likely a homegrown contender would have emerged by then.

It is unlikely to be Shearer just yet. He said: 'Football is all I know, all I've done and all | can do. I'm being honest when I say there is no agenda for me to be a manager or a coach yet. But I'd dearly love to stay in the game.'