Gerrard calls England Golden Generation ‘egotistical losers’ | OneFootball

Steven Gerrard has called England’s Golden Generation ‘egotistical losers’ and has blamed a divided culture for the side’s lack of success.

Gerrard formed part of an England team dubbed ‘The Golden Generation’ in the mid-2000s, but the Three Lions were unable to deliver tournament success.

England exited consecutive tournaments at the quarter-final stage between 2002 and 2006, despite boasting some of Europe’s best talent at that time. An inability to adapt to different formations and a desire to include star names over balance have often been attributed to the side’s struggle

“I believe we had the football IQ and intelligence to adapt and make it work together,” he told the Rio Presents Podcast.

“But there was a bigger problem in England, in my opinion. I think we were all egotistical losers. I watch the telly now and I see Carragher sitting next to Paul Scholes on this fan debate and they look like they’ve been best mates for 20 years. And I see Carra’s relationship with Gary Neville and they look like they’ve been mates for 20 years.

“I’m probably more close and friendly with you now than I ever was when I played with you for 15 years. So, why didn’t we connect when we were 20, 21, 22, 23? Was it ego? Was it rivalry?

“Why are we all mature enough now and at stages of our life where we’re closer and more connected now. Why couldn’t we connect as England teammates back then?

“I think it was down to the culture within England that we were never connected. All in our rooms too much, we weren’t friendly. We weren’t a team. We never at any stage became a real, good, strong team.”

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