Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard branded England’s ‘golden generation’ of footballers, of which he was part, as a bunch of ‘selfish losers’.
Gerrard believes this created an unfriendly atmosphere within the team, which also included David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard, which failed to progress beyond the quarter-finals of a major tournament in the 2000s.
«I think we were all selfish losers. I’m looking at the television now and I see (Jamie) Carragher sitting next to (Paul) Scholes during this fan debate and they look like they’ve been best friends for 20 years,» Gerrard said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
«Why are we all mature enough now and are at stages of our lives where we are closer and more connected? Why couldn’t we connect as England teammates back then?»
«I think it has to do with the culture in England that we were all never connected. All too much in our rooms. We weren’t friendly or connected. We weren’t a team. At no point did we become a real, good, strong team,» Gerrard said.
(from left) England defender Jamie Carragher, midfielder David Beckham, Swedish head coach of the England team Sven-Goran Eriksson, midfielder Frank Lampard and striker Peter Crouch look dejected at the end of the 2006 World Cup quarter-final, England v Portugal football match. | Photo credit: AFP
(from left) England defender Jamie Carragher, midfielder David Beckham, Swedish head coach of the England team Sven-Goran Eriksson, midfielder Frank Lampard and striker Peter Crouch look dejected at the end of the 2006 World Cup quarter-final, England v Portugal football match. | Photo credit: AFP
The former England captain added that he hated being in the national team camp due to the tense environment. «I used to love playing for England. I was really proud of it. I enjoyed the training, but it was 90 minutes a day. And then I was just alone in London, Romania or wherever.»
‘UNFINISHED BUSINESS’
Gerrard, who retired from international football in 2014, became manager and was in charge of Rangers between 2018 and 2021, leading the club to the Scottish Premier League title in the 2020-2021 season.
The 45-year-old later had unsuccessful spells with Aston Villa in the Premier League and Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq, but is reportedly close to a return to Rangers as a replacement for Russell Martin, who was sacked on Sunday.
“There’s a part of me that still feels like there’s some unfinished business in terms of wanting to take on some more exciting challenges,” Gerrard said of his managerial career.
«But I want a certain kind of challenge. In an ideal world, if they become available, I’ll jump on them. If they don’t, I won’t go back.»
WITH INPUT FROM REUTERS
Published on October 8, 2025
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/walnut-creek-double-homicide-1-100725-6a03bce72c6d483ca9458c08d71a7214.jpg?w=238&resize=238,178&ssl=1 "Marido y amante acusados de asesinar a su esposa y su suegra")
