FA chairman David Bernstein wants to keep David Beckham involved in English football after he announced his retirement.

Bernstein immediately called for the former England captain to become the country's "lead football figure".

He said: "He's become an iconic figure in the game. If it's something he wants to do, there's every opportunity for him to become the lead football figure that this country badly needs.

"As an ambassador for the FA and English football, I couldn't think of anybody better.

"He's been a wonderful performer, particularly at Manchester United where you think of him and that group of fantastic youngsters Sir Alex Ferguson developed.

"Then there's his work for England. You could never accuse him of not wanting to give everything for his country."