Joe Cole believes club rivalries played a part in England’s Golden Generation failing to win a World Cup. But he does not feel it was the main factor in a talented team not producing.
Instead, the former West Ham United, Chelsea and Liverpool midfielder sensed the Three Lions were tactically inferior to their rivals. And playing in hot conditions only emphasised the issue, with star-studded teams running themselves ragged to cover their inadequacies.
Cole appeared at three World Cups for England during his 56-cap international career. He played at the 2002 and 2006 tournaments as a part of the Three Lions’ Golden Generation. Fabio Capello also included the London-born creator in his squad for the 2010 tournament.
The 2006 edition in Germany was the last chance for England’s Golden Generation’s to win a World Cup. Sven-Goran Eriksson boasted superstars like David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and John Terry in his squad that summer.
But despite entering the tournament with expectations of challenging for the title, England left Germany 2006 in the quarter-finals. The Three Lions only scrapped their way out of the group stage, as well. Three lacklustre early performances left many scratching their heads.
Eriksen also needed a goal and an assist from Cole to secure the top spot in Group B from Sweden. The midfielder broke the deadlock, but Marcus Allback equalised. He then turned creator to find Gerrard five minutes from time. Only for Henrik Larsson to draw level again.
Cole blames club rivalries and tactics for England’s failure to win the World Cup
Cole has now told FourFourTwo that club rivalries were among the reasons why England’s Golden Generation failed to win the World Cup. But he does not believe it was the decisive factor behind Eriksen’s men failing to add to the Three Lions’ only global crown from 1966.
“I don’t think that was the main reason but it was a part of the problem,” he said. “Various England managers never properly addressed it. There would have been many ways you could have done, in terms of bringing players together or talking about how we felt.
“Our biggest issue was being behind other countries tactically. We had great players but the system wasn’t suited to international football. Particularly in hot weather.
“We didn’t keep possession and ran ourselves ragged. We had the players to get a goal here and there. But that was often despite our tactics. We relied on somebody popping up with a bit of magic – that’s no way to win a tournament.”
England arrived in Germany for the 2006 World Cup as a favourite to win but with a squad of domestic rivals. Lampard’s Chelsea had just won the Premier League title from Rooney’s Manchester United. Gerrard’s Liverpool, meanwhile, finished in third – a point off second.
Liverpool had also eliminated Chelsea from the FA Cup in the semi-finals before winning in Cardiff over West Ham. The Reds had also eliminated Manchester United in the fifth round.
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