Steven Gerrard blames England’s failure to win anything with the ‘Golden Generation’ on a lack of togetherness and team spirit.
Despite boasting a wealth of supremely talented players across the pitch during the noughties, the Three Lions never reached a single semi-final during that period.
Gerrard, who won 114 caps and play at six major tournaments during his international career, says that players from rival clubs were reluctant to be “friendly or connected” with each other.
Steven Gerrard explains why England’s Golden Generation failed
“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.
“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 [Ferdinand] now than I ever was when I played with you for 15 years [for England].
“So why didn’t we connect when we were 20, 21, 22, 23? Was it ego? Was it rivalry?
“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.”
Gerrard added that he despised going away on England duty throughout his 14 years representing the national team, with none of the five managers under whom he played getting the culture in the squad right.
“I hated it. I didn’t enjoy it. Hated the [hotel] rooms,” he said.
“In my early days, I’d have days where I was down, like low down. Like I’m in this room for seven hours, what am I going to do?
“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.
“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.
“I didn’t feel part of a team. I didn’t feel connected with my team-mates with England.
“I didn’t feel that with Liverpool. They were the best days of my life. I felt like the staff looked over me, like I felt special. I felt like I couldn’t wait to get there. With England, I just wanted the games and the training sessions and then to be away.”
