Rooney defends England’s golden generation after Gerrard’s criticism

Wayne Rooney has pushed backmost against Steven Gerrard’s crisp disapproval of England’s alleged “golden generation,” insisting that his epoch worked hard and fell abbreviated for reasons different than ego. Speaking connected The Wayne Rooney Show podcast, the erstwhile Manchester United and England skipper said Gerrard’s appraisal was “disrespectful” to players who gave everything to win.

“I wouldn’t rather enactment it that mode but I cognize what he’s saying,” Rooney said. “There were a batch of large characters successful the dressing room. I wouldn’t accidental the existent squads person a amended attitude. That’s disrespectful to america arsenic players due to the fact that we worked hard, we tried. We didn’t rather negociate to bash it.”

Gerrard, who made 114 appearances for England betwixt 2000 and 2014, precocious told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that the team’s nonaccomplishment to triumph large titles came down to players being “egotistical losers” who “weren’t a team.” Both men were portion of a procreation that featured David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Frank Lampard, and Michael Owen—yet ne'er precocious beyond a semi-final.

Changing times and person bonds

Rooney, England’s grounds extremity scorer earlier Harry Kane, admitted that nine rivalries betwixt Manchester United and Liverpool often made chemistry difficult. “It was hard to person that narration with Liverpool and Man Utd players,” helium said. “It’s easier now. I talk to Steven each the time. You tin person amended relationships present due to the fact that you tin person a brew unneurotic and unbend more.”

The erstwhile striker pointed retired that today’s players interact much naturally, mentioning Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford arsenic examples. “What you person present is rival players grooming unneurotic earlier preseason. The media sum is besides overmuch better, and players get connected amended with the media. From the outside, that gives a amended feeling,” helium added.

Despite their differences, Rooney and Gerrard stock a agelong past and communal respect. Both played successful six large tournaments without reaching a final, yet their names stay cardinal to the communicative of English football’s astir talented but unfulfilled era.