Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign as England boss ends dismally as his team lose on penalties in the quarter-finals to Portugal

An emotional David Beckham announces he is standing down as England captain following the defeat

Jose Pekerman resigns after his talented Argentina side lose to Germany but the AFA are yet to accept his decision

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink decides it is time for a change and takes charge of Russia's football team

A defeat against France marks Roberto Carlos' last match for Brazil - the left-back quits international football afterwards

Another casualty of Brazil's campaign is midfielder Juninho Pernambucano who, at 31, believes he should step down

Costa Rica coach Alexandre Guimaraes resigns after his team finish bottom of Group A

Zinedine Zidane gives some sublime displays to take France to the final, but a headbutt on Marco Materazzi clouds his legacy

He is set to be joined in international retirement by team-mate Lilian Thuram - he has quit before, will he return again?

Claude Makelele, another player to previously retire, also decides to end his time in France's squad at the age of 33

After 86 caps, the imposing presence of Germany goalkeeper Oliver Kahn will no longer appear on the international stage

Coach Henri Michel bids farewell after the unlucky Ivory Coast go out at the group stage despite some impressive displays

Japan star Hidetoshi Nakata retires from international football after Japan bowed out of the group stages of the World Cup

Defeats against Ecuador and Germany ensure Poland are the first team to exit - coach Pawel Janas duly resigns

Striker Sami Al-Jaber plays in his fourth and final World Cup before retiring and ending his spell as Saudi Arabia's captain

Coach Ilija Petkovic resigns as Serbia and Montenegro fail to progress into the second round of the World Cup

Dick Advocaat ends his reign as South Korea's coach and promptly lands a new job with Russia's Zenit St Petersburg

Marcello Lippi quits at the top as he resigns as coach of Italy after leading his country to a fourth World Cup title

Jurgen Klinsmann steps down as Germany coach after two years in charge and is replaced by Joachim Loew