Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard says he would relish the opportunity to captain England at the 2012 European Championships.

"If I get offered it, I'll take it and I'll be delighted and I'll be very proud to take it," Gerrard told BBC's Football Focus on Saturday.

The midfielder added that he believed manager Fabio Capello's resignation could give the team the necessary lift "for a successful summer".

Talking about the captaincy he said: "It's not my decision. It's down to, first of all, who Stuart Pearce wants to lead the team out, then whoever gets the job full time. But I want to be England captain."

Capello resigned after disagreeing with his bosses at the FA over the decision to strip John Terry of the England captaincy pending his trial on racial abuse charges, which he denies.

After Capello left his role, Pearce was put in charge of the national side for England's friendly with the Netherlands at Wembley next Wednesday.

The former England left-back has admitted he would like to take the side to this summer's Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

Reflecting on Capello's resignation, Gerrard said: "Yes, I was surprised, of course.

"I thought he would stay until the end of the summer, until the end of his contract and then move on, so it was a bit of a surprise.

"I don't think it will affect the England team.

"We'll get a new manager—it's a fresh start for everyone. It may be the lift we need to have a successful summer."

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