Departing England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson leaves a press conference the day after the team's World Cup exit

The Swede apologises, saying: "I'm sorry for the fans, who have been fantastic, that we couldn't give them a final"

David Beckham looks pensive as he walks in to face the assembled press, clutching a pre-prepared speech

Looking emotional, Beckham announces his decision to step down as England captain forthwith

Surrounded by security, Beckham leaves the media centre from a rear door and heads for Baden Baden airport

A dejected Wayne Rooney leaves Brenners Park Hotel, where the players' wives and girlfriends have been staying

Sven-Goran Eriksson and his girlfriend Nancy Dell'Olio board the plane, for what will be Eriksson's last trip with the team

John Terry carries his twins' baby seats across the tarmac and a dummy in his mouth as he embarks on the journey home

Aaron Lennon, Steven Gerrard's partner Alex Curran, Wayne Rooney and Frank and Luna Lampard prepare to board

Back at Stansted airport in Essex, a crowd of England fans gather to cheer the team's homecoming

David Beckham steps on English soil for the first time in nearly four weeks, accompanied by wife Victoria and three sons

Fans can only ponder what might have been, as the players bid each other farewell and are whisked off in a fleet of cars