David Beckham (Getty Images)
England's Euro 2008 failures can learn from David Beckham as they seek forgiveness from the nation's disillusioned football fans.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel believes the Three Lions flops should turn to the man who once transformed himself from Public Enemy No.1 into a national hero as they go about repairing their sullied reputations.
Schmeichel, who inspired Denmark to a shock European Championship triumph 15 years ago, was an Old Trafford team-mate of Beckham when the England man returned from France 98 in disgrace following his red card in the defeat to Argentina.
He believes it was the experience which forged Beckham as both a player and a personality. Schmeichel said: "Scott Carson took most of the blame for the defeat against Croatia last week because of the mistake he made for the first goal.
"But it became clear over the weekend that a lot of fans feel the other players were just as responsible - and some of them will come under the same kind of scrutiny that David Beckham had to go though in 1998.
"They've been branded as greedy people who don't care enough about the England shirt. That's something I don't agree with - but I didn't agree either with the amount of abuse that Beckham had to put up with.
"My advice to Carson, and any other England player who gets stick, would be to turn to David for advice. The amount of criticism he got after France 98 could have finished him as a footballer, but instead it made him the player he became.
"Now the players who have been hammered for failing to qualify for Euro 2008 have to decide whether they want to run away and hide or use the experience to improve themselves."
He added: "Beckham showed unbelievable mental strength to come through to the other side. It was magnificent to see one of your team-mates respond like that.
"When he went to the World Cup in 1998 he was a very good player. The next season he was an absolutely extraordinary player and was one of the reasons why United won the Treble.
"He didn't hide from anything. He would take corners within yards of the fans who were abusing him, yet he just got better and better.
"He showed no fear whatsoever. He just produced a succession of great performances and, within a couple of years, he was the hero of English football. There's no doubt in my mind that David Beckham became the player and person he was because of what happened against Argentina."
Beckham defied all the odds to return to the England fold after being unceremoniously dumped by Steve McClaren in the aftermath of his appointment as Sven Goran Eriksson's successor. The England coach was forced into a humiliating U-turn even though the midfielder had by then swapped Real Madrid for LA Galaxy.
Schmeichel says it would be folly for the next England manager to make the same mistake - even though Beckham will be 35 by the time South Africa stages the 2010 World Cup.
He said: "David once again showed incredible mental strength to get himself back into the England squad after McClaren had dropped him.
"And when he came on against Croatia the impact he had on the game was massive and he was easily England's best midfielder - that showed he can still influence huge international matches.
"I think the next manager would be crazy to discard David like Steve McClaren did. I know Beckham attracts a lot of media interest, but what I can't understand is why the other England players seems to be jealous of that.
"I know from experience you don't want all the media attention that goes with every big international tournament, so you would think the other players would be grateful to David for dealing with it so they can prepare properly.
"I've heard David say he wants to go for 2010 and why not? He may not start too many matches, but he is perfect to bring on when you need someone to make a big impact."
Zero to HERO
David Beckham was public enemy number one after he was sent off in England's 1998 World Cup finals knock-out stage clash with Argentina.
England ended up losing on penalties and Beckham, then just 23 years old, was slaughtered for his petulant behaviour. Less than a year later Goldenballs was the golden boy again after starring in Manchester United's treble triumph.
And by the end of that year his England redemption was complete as well as he helped Kevin Keegan's side clinch their place in Euro 2000 with a play-off victory over Scotland.
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JONATHAN PEARCE
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE