Golden Generation (English football)

The players of the England national football team in the 2000s have been referred to as a golden generation. Despite the talent of its players and their success at club level, the Golden Generation has been known as underachievers, being eliminated at the quarter-finals in three major tournaments and failing to qualify for UEFA Euro 2008.

The term "Golden Generation" was coined in 2001 by The Football Association chief executive Adam Crozier, and criticised as a burden by players such as Frank Lampard. Reasons offered by pundits and players for the failure of the team have included arrogance, tactical inflexibility, the incapability of Lampard and Steven Gerrard to perform together in midfield, and the lack of an assertive manager.