England’s trip to Croatia in the Nations League brings memories flooding back of not only last summer’s World Cup Semi-Final exit, but also the humbling 3-2 reverse at Wembley in 2007.
The Three Lions’ defeat on that fateful night in North London ensured that Steve McClaren’s men would not qualify for Euro 2008. But what happened to the XI that lined up under the arch? The Coral News Team traces their current whereabouts.
Steve McClaren
The man nicknamed the wally with the brolly has managed seven different clubs since leading England out on that sodden evening. Now in charge at Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Scott Carson
Now the first-choice stopper at Derby County and managed by another member of the team that lost to Croatia. Made two subsequent appearances for England after his Wembley nightmare.
Micah Richards
After promising so much as a youngster, Richards has failed to kick on in the 2010s. He now finds himself at Aston Villa, where he’s made just 31 appearances since joining in August 2015.
Sol Campbell
Following a failed bid to become the Conservative Mayor of London in 2015, Campbell is now involved with coaching and looks set to work with the England Under-21 side in November.
Joleon Lescott
Though not officially retired, Lescott has been out of the game since a two-game stint with Sunderland during their ill-fated Premier League relegation season. The two-time Premier League winner is a regular in the Sky Sports studio as a pundit.
Left Chelsea in 2009 for nomadic spells at Manchester City, West Ham United, Sunderland, Brighton & Hove Albion, Reading and the I’m A Celebrity jungle. Another to choose punditry over coaching since retiring in 2014.
Shaun Wright-Phillips
The diminutive winger may have retired after a spell with Phoenix Rising in 2017, but his offspring is causing a stir. SWP’s son is currently on the books at Man City and has already trained with the first-team this season.
Steven Gerrard
After hanging up his boots in 2016, Gerrard became the first member of this England team to go into management with Rangers in May 2018. He’s started well with the Gers, as the Ibrox club bid to overhaul Celtic in the Scottish Premiership.
Frank Lampard
Gerrard and Lampard always found themselves occupying the same space for England. So it was no surprise when Lamps followed his colleague into the dugout during the summer. The Chelsea legend has the reins at Derby County as they bid for promotion to the Premier League.
Gareth Barry
Become the Premier League’s record appearance holder last season with 653 matches to his name. Eventually relegated with West Bromwich Albion, where he remains a mainstay in the Championship.
Joe Cole
Ex-West Ham and Chelsea star Cole has found a new lease of life in the United States with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. The 36-year-old is captain of the United Soccer League side and was recently appointed assistant coach alongside his playing duties.
Peter Crouch
Aged 37, Crouch remains a regular appearance-maker at Stoke City. His work on the pitch is tempered by a number of other avenues, including an autobiography, podcast and stints as a DJ on Radio X.
