In recent years many of England’s Golden Generation of the mid 2000s have tried their hand at management, but not to the same level of success as many other legendary players of the same era.
Recently Wayne Rooney was sacked from his post at Birmingham City after sending them plummeting down the EFL Championship – here are other Three Lions legends who have failed at management in recent years.
Frank Lampard
Chelsea icon Lampard managed at Derby County for the 2018/19 season, achieving a respectable record of 1.63 points per game and nearly leading the side to promotion. His next stint as Chelsea boss was similarly successful, blooding many young talents and taking the side into the Champions League knockout stage in his second season before Thomas Tuchel took over to win the competition.
His next job at Everton and his subsequent return to Chelsea can only be described as disastrous, however. He only just avoided relegation with a Toffees side with more than enough quality to stay up, before achieving just one win in 11 matches at Chelsea.
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard’s first managerial position at Rangers was a massive success – breaking Celtic’s dominant streak of SPL wins during his three and a half years at the club. This earned him a spot as Aston Villa manager but he failed to live up to expectations, winning just 13 of the 40 matches he managed in the Premier League.
He now manages Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia – despite a number of big signings the club currently languish in mid-table under Gerrard’s leadership.
Wayne Rooney
Rooney’s managerial career has not got off to an ideal start. Relegated with Derby, he returned to former club DC United in the MLS and failed to make the play-offs. Birmingham City were in 6th position and aiming for promotion when the Manchester United legend was hired, but after just two wins in 15 matches sit in 20th position, with Rooney recently shown the door.
Gary Neville
Former England right-back Neville managed Valencia during the 2015/16 season and proceeded to go on a 9-match winless streak in the league during which the side were smashed 7-0 by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, leading to the iconic photo below.
Neville was eventually sacked after leaving the side six points above the relegation zone after three wins in 16 matches.
