Gerrard's Bold Admission
Former England captain Steven Gerrard recently opened up about his frustrations during his international career, claiming he sometimes "hated" being part of the England set-up. In a revealing interview on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Gerrard stated, "We were all egotistical losers," addressing the core of a squad rich in talent but lacking the necessary unity to deliver performances on the world stage.
Despite racking up 114 caps and participating in six major tournaments without a semi-final appearance, Gerrard believes that the issue was never a question of skill. Instead, it lay in the interpersonal dynamics shaped by fierce club rivalries and egos among players that prevented them from meshing together on the international stage.
The Issue of Culture
Gerrard spoke glowingly of his experiences with Liverpool, where his connection with teammates was strong and meaningful, contrasting it sharply with his time on international duty. He articulated how the lack of camaraderie among stars from rival clubs was symptomatic of the culture within the national team, rendering the squad disjointed. "I didn't feel connected with my team-mates with England. I just wanted the games and the training sessions and then to be away," he admitted.
“It was down to the culture within England. We weren't friendly or connected. We weren't a team.”
Rivalries that Divide
Reflecting on his time in the England setup, Gerrard mentioned the hesitance to forge bonds with those wearing rival jerseys: Frank Lampard from Chelsea and Paul Scholes from Manchester United could have formed a legendary midfield trio, but competitive spirits overshadowed potential collaboration. The reluctance to make friends with players from opposing clubs was a cultural hurdle that prevented England from functioning as a cohesive unit.
A Coach's Dream: Fostering Team Spirit
Fast forward to today, and many argue that things have changed significantly under current manager Gareth Southgate. Under his leadership, the England squad has experienced a cultural renaissance, fostering better relationships among players regardless of club allegiance. Gerrard himself described Southgate as "underrated" for how he has connected effectively with the team, bringing about the sense of unity missing in earlier decades.
“I think it's a combination of different things, but one of the big things for me was we weren't a team.”
Looking Back, Moving Forward
The failures of the England squad within Gerrard's era are emblematic of what can happen when talent is not backed by teamwork. As England reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and back-to-back Euro finals since, it's clear that positive changes have emerged. One can only wonder: what might have been if Gerrard and his contemporaries had embraced their skill as a collective, rather than as rivals?
It is this spirit—the one that fosters connection and understanding among players—that sets successful national teams apart from those that have floundered despite abundant talent. Today's young players shoulder the legacy of their predecessors, eager to carve their own path with the lessons of the past echoing behind them. Are they equipped to take England deep in tournaments? Only time will reveal.
Final Thoughts
Steven Gerrard's candid remarks serve as a stark reminder of the importance of team spirit in sports. As we look forward to upcoming tournaments, we must ponder whether the spirit of unity is strong enough to turn the tide for England and prevent future generations from suffering the same fate his generation did.
Source reference: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cq653600zdqo
