How eight superstars from England's 'Golden Generation' have fared as managers
When Wayne Rooney was sacked by Birmingham City on Tuesday morning, winning just twice in 15 matches, he claimed that he deserved more time.
But England’s second highest goalscorer did not have to fail to underline that being a great player does not necessarily make a great manager. His dismissal extends the sub-par record of the Three Lions’ “Golden Generation” in the dugout.
Of the 23 players who went to the European Championship 20 years ago, eight have had stints in charge of teams ranging from the United States to India via the Premier League and National League. They have one significant trophy between them.
Here is how they have fared.
David James
The goalkeeper had two spells in charge of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League. During the first term in 2014 he brought the team to the play-off final, losing 1-0 to Atletico de Kolkata, and missed out on the play-offs during a second spell in 2018.
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Gary Neville
Now known for his punditry and various business interests, including part-ownership of Salford City, the full back sprung a surprise by becoming Valencia manager in 2015-16. He faced a glaring spotlight across 28 games, winning only 10, and has not been the main man since. Neville did, however, spend a lengthy spell as an assistant manager of the England senior team.
Steven Gerrard is under pressure at Al-Ettifaq. (Getty Images)Steven Gerrard
Currently fighting to turn the tide at Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ettifaq, the Liverpool legend at least won the Scottish title at Rangers in 2020-21 before jumping ship for Aston Villa, where he was sacked. Stock was high in Glasgow but it is presently hard to plot a route back to a decent job at home.
Sol Campbell
The defender has been vocal about how difficult it remains for black men to get opportunities in management. He inherited a mess at Macclesfield Town in 2018 and did an admirable job in steering them to safety in League Two. But with the club’s financial situation becoming increasingly dire, he left by mutual agreement before the following season began. Campbell then took on another difficult gig at struggling Southend United in League One and after they were relegated in the abandoned Covid-19 interrupted season he left.
Paul Scholes
Ex-Manchester United midfield player has had two rather brief stints in the dugout for Salford, whom he co-owns. And spent seven games in charge of boyhood club Oldham Athletic in early 2019 before resigning because of a dispute with the owner. Now works in punditry.
Wayne Rooney
Expected to take a long break before re-evaluating his management plans after the chastening failure at Birmingham. He cultivated an us against the world mentality at Derby, who entered administration and had 21-points deducted, but could not avoid relegation. From there he moved to DC United and failed to reach the play-offs in two seasons before taking the Birmingham gig. Which club is brave enough to give him another shot?
Frank Lampard
The midfielder did well at Derby before suffering Championship play-off heartbreak, yet the performance there was enough for Chelsea to decide he was worth a shot. With the club facing a transfer embargo, he promoted academy talents such as Mason Mount, Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham but they went off the rails late in the pandemic season and he was sacked midway through the next campaign. At Everton he struggles to grapple with off-field issues and was sacked before returning to Chelsea as an interim boss during last season’s shambles. Like Rooney, he is now taking a break.
Phil Neville was sacked by Inter Miami last summer. (Zuma Press/PA Images)Phil Neville
Recently appointed head coach of Portland Timbers, whose fans criticised past sexist remarks, having led Inter Miami to last place in the MLS Eastern Conference before close pal David Beckham sacked him in June. Yet the younger Neville will be most remembered for his mixed but high-profile spell as England women boss, during which he won the deluxe-friendly SheBelieves Cup in 2019.
The rest
Ashley Cole The full back has been highly-rated as a coach and worked as assistant to both Lampard and Rooney. Despite those jobs ending in failure, Cole has also been a part of Lee Carsley’s successful England Under-21 side and is highly regarded among players.
John Terry Centre half has worked twice with Dean Smith - a spell at Aston Villa that was initially successful and an ill-fated and brief stint at Leicester - along with two spells in Chelsea’s academy. He was desperate for a managerial role early in the decade but is resigned to that no longer happening.
David Beckham Why manage a team when you can own one? The former Manchester United superstar is the frontman for MLS franchise Inter Miami and also holds a minority stake in Salford City, alongside the Nevilles and other former United team-mates.
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David Beckham last year brought Lionel Messi to Inter Miami. (AP)Michael Owen A regular pundit on TNT Sports. The ex-Liverpool striker’s main interest post-playing career has been on the racecourse and he has not signalled any intent to become a coach.
Wayne Bridge Signalled his intent to coach at underage level upon retirement but has not taken a job in the professional game.
Paul Robinson Goalkeeper works as a pundit on radio and television since retiring.
Ledley King Sat on the bench as Jose Mourinho ’s assistant at Tottenham before returning to his role as club ambassador.
Jamie Carragher Pundit and columnist has previously said management “looked like a hassle” so he is instead a lead analyst on Sky and for US network CBS.
Nicky Butt Midfielder spent nine years coaching in Manchester United’s academy and left in early 2021.
Owen Hargreaves In 2012 there was talk of the FA putting him on the fast track to his coaching badges but he has not dipped his toes in and now appears as a TV pundit.
Joe Cole Held a coaching role in Chelsea’s academy before departing. He was then expected to attempt to set pursue first-team opportunities but has recently been earning a reputation as one of the most insightful pundits on TV.
Joe Cole has become a leading pundit for TNT Sport. (Twitter/btsportfootball)Kieron Dyer Spent time working in the academy at Ipswich Town and was occasionally in the first team dugout as part of Paul Cook’s backroom team.
Emile Heskey Working within the England Elite Coach Programme and is currently an assistant for the national Under-18 side.
Ian Walker Goalkeeper spent a brief spell in charge of non-League Bishop’s Stortford in 2011, leaving following a foul-mouthed rant at his own fans, and worked in China as a goalkeeping coach for several seasons.
Darius Vassell Former striker is now working in Wolves academy as a development coach.
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