Steven Gerrard recently revealed that he absolutely ‘hated’ his time on England duty, unlike when he was playing for Liverpool. This sentiment was shared among other players in the so-called ‘Golden Generation’, which included stars like Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, David Beckham, and John Terry. Gerrard opened up about the lack of maturity among the players when it came to representing their country on the international stage.
The former Liverpool midfielder admitted that he didn’t enjoy being away from home for long periods during international breaks, citing the lack of entertainment options in his hotel room as a major downside. Despite finding solace in the actual games and training sessions, Gerrard struggled with the isolation he felt while on England duty compared to the sense of camaraderie he experienced at Liverpool. The divide between club loyalties and national team responsibilities seemed to hinder the players from truly coming together as a cohesive unit.
Gerrard and Ferdinand reflected on how the cliques formed based on players’ club affiliations impacted the team’s dynamics both on and off the pitch. Looking back, they acknowledged that more effort should have been made to bridge the divide and foster a stronger sense of unity within the squad. While they recognized the talent and potential within the group, they lamented the missed opportunities and lack of success achieved by the ‘Golden Generation’ on the international stage. Despite the challenges they faced, both players praised current England manager Gareth Southgate for his efforts in breaking down the barriers that once divided the team.
In hindsight, Gerrard and his peers realized that the bitterness and animosity that existed between players from different clubs were counterproductive to their collective goals. They acknowledged that a more cohesive and harmonious team environment could have translated into better performances on the pitch. As they reflected on their time with the national team, they expressed regret over not fully capitalizing on the talent and opportunities they had at their disposal. The lessons learned from their experiences have shaped their perspectives on the importance of team unity and camaraderie in achieving success at the international level.
