Beckham envy doomed England at World Cup: Eriksson's agent

LONDON (AFP) - Jealousy of David Beckham on the part of his team-mates doomed England's World Cup campaign in Germany last year according to the agent of ex-manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Agent Pini Zahavi said that the Swede had told him "the whole story" behind his side's disappointing campaign that ended in a penalty shoot-out defeat to Portugal.

Beckham subsequently resigned as captain and has been left out of England squads since by new boss Steve McClaren.

"There was a big problem with jealously at the World Cup - something no-one has ever talked about," Zahavi said.

"A lot of people didn't like Beckham's position within the team. It was one of the biggest things that hurt England.

"A lot of players didn't like the 'super player' Beckham. They didn't like his status in the team.

"If Sven told the whole story of what went on in Germany - and I know the whole story because I have talked to him a lot - people would understand what happened.

"One of the main problems was Sven had too much respect for several players. If you look at it professionally, Beckham shouldn't have played at certain times. But Sven put him in anyway.

"Now, at least, all the players are equal under McClaren.''