Steven Gerrard on England’s golden era
Former England captain Steven Gerrard has opened up about the so-called Golden Generation, arguing that the group of players who defined English football in the early 2000s never truly formed a cohesive team. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, external, Gerrard said he sometimes “hated” international duty and blamed a culture that stifled genuine on-field connections among teammates who played for rival clubs.
Culture over talent: the missing link
Gerrard, 45, earned 114 caps and featured at six major tournaments, yet never reached a semi-final with England. He suggested that even a midfield of Chelsea’s Frank Lampard and Manchester United’s Paul Scholes should have been a foundation for success, but the mid-2000s setup failed to capitalise on such talent due to a lack of team unity. “We were all egotistical losers,” he reflected, noting how friendships formed years later among players who shared clubs or close bonds.
From the outside, it’s clear the England squad of that era boasted world-class names, but Gerrard argues the dressing room atmosphere didn’t translate to on-field harmony. “I watch the telly now and I see Jamie Carragher sitting next to Paul Scholes and they look like they’ve been best mates for 20 years,” he said. “And I see Carragher’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.”
The missing chemistry in the England setup
Gerrard pointed to a culture that discouraged social mixing and true connections across club allegiances. “Why didn’t we connect when we were 20, 21, 22, 23? Was it ego? Was it rivalry?” he asked. “It was down to the culture within England. We weren’t friendly or connected. We weren’t a team. We never at any stage became a real good, strong team.”
His candor comes after a career in which he captained England 38 times—ranking sixth in the all-time list—while all along maintaining a strong affinity for his club football with Liverpool. Gerrard’s analysis suggests the root of England’s struggles lay not in a lack of quality, but in a fragile locker room culture that prevented players from building the deep, trusting relationships necessary for sustained success on the international stage.
Personal battles and the emotional cost
Gerrard did not shy away from admitting the personal toll of international duty. “I hated it. I didn’t enjoy it. Hated the [hotel] rooms,” he said. He recalled days spent in hotel rooms with little to do in an era without social media or streaming entertainment. “There was no social media, we didn’t have a DVD player or anything. Channel 1 to 5 or whatever it was on TV. I used to get low and down.”
Despite the loneliness off the pitch, the defender-midfielder still cherished the actual games for England, as well as the broader experience of international duty. But the contrast between club and country life was stark. “I used to love the games. I used to love playing for England. I was really proud. I used to enjoy the training sessions but it was 90 minutes a day. And then I was just on my own,” he added. “I didn’t feel part of a team. I didn’t feel connected with my team-mates with England.”
Reflections for modern England
Gerrard’s reflections invite a broader conversation about team culture in modern English football. The sport has evolved with increased emphasis on squad harmony, player welfare, and cross-club connections within national teams. For England, the task remains: how to blend elite individual talent with the sense of unity that can unlock the next generation’s potential on the world stage?
As the sport moves forward, Gerrard’s words serve as a blunt reminder that even the most gifted squads require more than skill to win major honors. They need a connected, supportive culture that makes a group feel like a true team rather than a collection of stars.
