Former England captain Steven Gerrard delivered a brutally honest reflection on his time with the national team, admitting that he sometimes ‘hated’ international duty.
He also believes ego among star players stopped England from reaching their full potential.
Gerrard made 114 appearances for the Three Lions and captained the team at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. He was part of a generation packed with world-class talent.
Despite boasting a squad that included David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney, England never made it past the quarter finals during Gerrard’s 14-year international career.
In an interview with Ferdinand, Gerrard pointed out how rivalries between Premier League clubs created divides within the England camp, which prevented the players from truly bonding.
“I think we were all egotistical losers,” he said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
He also referenced how his former Liverpool teammate Jamie Carragher and ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville now seem closer in retirement than they ever were as England teammates.
“Why couldn’t we connect as England teammates back then?” he added. “I think it was down to the culture within England that we were all never connected.
“All in our rooms too much. We weren’t friendly or connected. We weren’t a team. We never at any stage became a real good strong team.”
Gerrard captained England 38 times but revealed the isolating nature of international duty.
“I hated it,” he admitted. “I didn’t enjoy it. In my early days, I’d have days where I was down, like low down. I’m in this room for seven hours, what am I going to do?
“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 teammates with England.”
Since retiring as a player, Gerrard has struggled as a manager. He led Rangers to the Scottish Premiership title, but won nothing else.
He couldn’t hack it in the Premier League or Saudi Pro League, failing woefully at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq, but has now been linked with a return to Rangers.
