The summer of 2006 was supposed to be England's crowning glory. A squad packed with world-class talent, celebrity partners making headlines, and a nation buzzing with confidence—the hype was massive, and the eventual collapse was devastating.
Ask Rio Ferdinand about the phrase "golden generation," and he'll tell you it was, in his own words, "stupid." Actually, he uses a much stronger expletive before that. "I feel embarrassed when I say it," the former center-back admits in the new BBC documentary The Golden Generation, which explores how this star-studded team—tipped to end 40 years of hurt since England's 1966 triumph—fell apart on the biggest stage. "I don't look back at that time with any type of happiness."
And yet, these were golden times, both on and off the pitch. Generational footballing talents, showbiz wives and girlfriends, and England's first foreign manager, Sven-Goran Eriksson—whose colorful private life added to the drama—dominated front and back pages as celebrity culture exploded. Built up so high, they crashed hard, leaving everyone asking what went wrong. Twenty years later, do those involved have any clearer answers?
This wasn't just any squad. It was a collection of Champions League winners, Premier League champions, prolific goalscorers, midfield geniuses, and defensive stalwarts at the peak of their powers. Consider the key players heading into the 2006 World Cup:
David Beckham – England captain, known for precise crossing and set pieces, with a proven goal-scoring record. Major honors: 6 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, and 1 Champions League (all with Manchester United).
Wayne Rooney – Young star just breaking through, known for pace, power, and attacking threat. Major honors: 2 Premier League titles and 1 League Cup.
Frank Lampard – Proven goal-scorer from midfield, intelligent on the ball. Major honors: 2 Premier League titles and 1 League Cup.
Steven Gerrard – Captain at Liverpool, a box-to-box threat who could do it all—defending and attacking. Major honors: 1 Champions League, 2 FA Cups, and 2 League Cups.
John Terry – Vital to England's team for his composure, reading of the game, and leadership.
Michael Owen – Ballon d'Or winner in 2001, with 1 FA Cup and 2 League Cups (with Liverpool).
"I just call them a damn good squad of players," says Steve McClaren, Eriksson's assistant before taking over as manager, when asked about the "golden generation" label. The tag had first been applied back in 2001, setting expectations that would ultimately prove impossible to meet.