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After Kevin Keegan's resignation in October, stand-in coach Peter Taylor makes Beckham captain for a friendly in Italy.

Eyebrows are raised at the decision to hand Beckham with the task of filling the leadership void created by the retirement of Alan Shearer and Tony Adams.

But Beckham excels as skipper and there are few surprises when Sven-Goran Eriksson maintains the status quo and gives him the job permanently three months later.

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