Michael Owen joined us in studio to talk about his career at Newcastle United, his relationship with Alan Shearer and Freddy Shepherd and why it all went so wrong.
Truth be told, he was not aware of his body's limitations. He had tremendous skill but would get injured. Compare him to Wayne Rooney or greater still C.Ronaldo or Messi, they will never put themselves in a position to be injured.
Probably. But then actual 'character' no longer seems to matter, so being a whinging 19 year old is easier to get away with!! Hardly a good way for things to have gone, though, is it, and certainly doesn't win me over to ANY boring, spineless, egotistical types like this!!!
He was more or less Mbappé at the time. I (a Dutch fan) was mesmerized by how quick and lethal he was. What a threat. When he got injured it was just over. Such a waste and I still think he showed incredible resillience, trying to fulfill a career while at 50%.
Loved the fact that he left us (L.F.C) thinking that he was going to a bigger club and we then did the whole Istanbul thing!! Only one God and he named....FOWLER!!!!! 😊
@@LeMerch What?, scoring one of the WORLD cups best goals, being one of Liverpools greatest ever striker's, playing for Real Madrid and Manchester United make him a World star pal
@@LeMerch I understand what you're saying mate. I just think that if people outside the UK don't understand Owen then i think that is a good standard bearer for their actual knowledge of football. I'm not saying that because i'm biased because i'm an Arsenal fan. Football is about opinions though and opinions are like arseholes, everyone's got one lol
The only reason he came to Newcastle is to have a chance of playing for England because being on the bench at Real Madrid wouldn't of got him in the squad, it's a shame Newcastle didn't sign him on a pay per play basis like man utd did , I think he would of played more games than he did
I rated Michael very highly as a youngster, quite simply because his pace was absolutely electric and felt that if he could have stayed proper fit without injury he could have won a world cup for England, but to be honest after the first injury at Liverpool he was never that player again , sadly losing his pace showed that really he wasnt a very good footballer, fantastic finisher but never a great player, could have been, but like a lot of players, we never saw the best of him due to injury.
Just like del piero and Brazilian ronaldo what they could ve done is scary if their knees didn't give way van Basten the same he was only 27 when he had to retire not saying ronaldo went South but he could ve been the very very best without serious knee injury
Yeah, I think you are right on a few here and wrong in a few. His pace was phenomenal, his speed on the turn, his pace on the wing. He was always gonna get injured though he didn’t have the physicality to be able to bounce back from knocks. Once injured it was always going to be down hill. Now had he never been injured he would have been one of England’s greatest players probably played until his late 30s, would he have won England a World Cup? Never, England have an inability to win a World Cup any time, 66 excepted when it was west ham who won. Englands style of play isn’t World Cup winning. I’d have to say at this point South Korea or the USA will win won before England. As a Brit I hate it, but it’s true.
Ferguson said that Liverpool played him in too many games at a tender age which is probably true but players with electric pace invariable become prey to injuries given the demands of the modern game. Like Rooney, Owen was a precocious talent that just fizzled out before his time.
Most players are at their peak at around 28-32 years old but he was his best at a much younger age when he was almost always playing so injuries were bound to catch up with him later in his career.
Shearer was a great player. Sicknote owen had maybe 3 good seasons in his whole career. Biggest waste of money ever. And weve had a few clowns playing for us.
He was great as a youngster for Liverpool. But his decision to join Man United completely ruined his name and legacy as far as hardcore Liverpool fans are concerned. I’m sure other Liverpool supporters would agree with me.
@@gruphenio6787 the most important thing as a player is being successful, so always go to the club that is likely to give you the most success. Who is Owen more likely to win the Premier League title with, Everton or United? Or any cup for that matter
I think he comes across well in this. Its easy to take the mick out of him but he was an amazing player. Without those muscle injuries he would have been unbelievable
It's not possible for us normal people to understand how personality and motivation is formed by having the salary and adulation he did from a young age. It's obvious he was carrying injuries, he says he'd lost his pace, and it would have been difficult to motivate himself if he felt he was a shadow of his younger self at Liverpool. Can't just call him a sicknote, if you've got injuries, you can't play as well or at all. I'm sure he yearned to have same fan adulation at Newcastle as he had at Liverpool, he didn't go there to underperform, all these lads want to play football. I'm no massive MO fan but I quite like the candid way he's speaking about his career.
Look at Beckham and Rooney, same thing. English teams burn out their talented kids at a young age. The only one I've seen not do that properly recently is Guardiola with Foden. Ten years ago he'd have three full seasons under his belt already
He commented that shearer was on good money?? The difference between shearer and the greedy dwarf is that shearer earned his money by scoring goals and grafting He said he went to a big club next Manchester United..big club ..little player. He warmed the subs bench up
Legend has it, Owen was playing a game of Snakes and Ladders with his kid, and just needed to roll a 5 to win... But then, he pulled his hamstring and was out for 2 months. His kid won that game, and didn't storm of to their bedroom.
His prime was however many seconds it took him to score that goal against Argentina. Without that he wouldnt have been held in anywhere near such high esteem.
Jamie Vardy when thanked for scoring so many goals and winning Leicester the title “it’s not me, it’s the team. I couldn’t do it without them behind me”
Its a shame for his injury problems; he was one hell of a player. Newcastle signed an injury prone player; that scored 26 goals in 71 games in the EPL for them; a mostly struggling side. 163 league goals in 362 games along with 40 international goals in 89 England games. It wasn't like Michael Owen was a bad professional; not getting wasted, trouble with the police, smoking or falling out of nightclubs. Injury and in particular muscle problems run in his family; its unfortunate. It would be cool if they could get a few of the ex pros around Owen and Shearers era at the time around a table; a bit like with boxing 'The Gloves are Off' but 'The Boots are Off' and talk it out. Michael Owen still had one hell of a career.
When has a player with any sort of desire or pride sat back and waited for someone to ask him if he wants to start, chomping at the bit Micheal, that’s what managers are looking for in their players
A legend in his own head. Injury messed up his career, he should be looking back on what he could have achieved. The Newcastle incident - he had been paid millions by the club and hardly played a game - 1 game left, relegation decider - he should be knocking on the managers door begging to play - instead a wishy-washy comment about well stick me on the bench and I'll see if I can cope with 15 mins - no wonder Shearer thought sod ya. Owen didn't want to play and ruin his contract at United.
Just contradicted himself, he said, fans turned, so I thought sod them. Only was interested in being fit for England, I watched him coming out of the Newcastle training ground at Benton, All the players came out stopping at the gate, signing autographs for the fans. Owen, waited until the very last minute until most of the fans left, The little kids who idolised him, waited in the rain, with there parents for ages with his photos, autograph books hoping for his signiture, or even just see him. Owen, came out many times in his Jaguar, saw them and drove past, then put his foot down to the junction of the lane so they couldnt run after him, was never interested in Newcastle. Worst player ever for us. Leaving little geordie fans in the rain, disappointed after waiting hours. Shearer, knows this is true. Owen, didn't want to risk his England career or his move to Man utd, Liverpools, rivals that's how loyal he was to Liverpool, spat his dummy when they didn't want him at Liverpool, the place he says, he loves, truth is the crock, injury prone, bloke wasn't worth the risk, Liverpool knew it, that's why they didn't want to match Newcastle, the first time. The blokes, biting his nails 💅 away, because he knows its not true what he's saying. Shearer, is right and was well let down by this money grabber,so called mate, who he took in and looked after. Stabbed, well and truly in the back, Shearer, was devastated, had his football heart ripped out by this bloke.
Just a one-goal wonder. Even put his name to absolutely gash PlayStation games, just for the £££ I have no sympathy for someone who soon had his tongue up Ferguson's balloon knot, purely for the horse racing. Greedy little nerk who only ever scored one decent goal. Curse Freddie Shepherd for spunking the £11m on him.
Shearer did the same with my kid. I don’t care if they have had a rough day, they get paid millions and autographs for kids are part of the job. Just makes them look like wankers when they treat kids like that.
"Why would you risk for one game when you could be out for 6 weeks?" It was the last game of the season anyway so it wouldn't have made much difference if he picked up an injury in that game as he would've had all summer to recover for next season. So, yes, I agree with Shearer that it was about Owen worrying about an injury for his next club rather than helping Newcastle avoid relegation.
Michael comes across very honest albeit he's not perfect he think he knows himself he comes across as strange to the public because of his square persona but you cannot ever take away this mans achievements and special moments in his career, liverpool, england , real madrid, newcastle, man united, he truly was fearless back in the day and openly admits he has a big ego just as shearer obviously has.
You just don't know what to believe do you? According to A.Shearer, M.Owen didn't want to play because he was eying up a move away from NUFC come end of the season and didn't want to be injured AGAIN. M.Owen tries to sell you a story whereby he knows his body better than anyone and therefore an injured player/not fully fit player doesn't help anyone considering the desperate scenario NUFC found themselves in on the final day of the season. The only interesting thing about this saga is someone's lying while someone's else is telling the truth!!!!!
Michael Owen is a goalscorer and like all goal scorers he has a massive ego, when he came back and didn’t feel loved anymore it affected him when it shouldn’t have, football fans are fickle and one good performance would have changed everything. Even if he thinks it didn’t effect him just before the last game of the season subconsciously it would have. On the other hand Shearer is obviously also effected as he was the manager when his beloved Newcastle got relegated and he’s looking for a scape-goat, the team got relegated not Michael Owen let’s not forget that. So they’re both in the wrong, Owen for being mentally weak and Shearer for finger pointing, but there’s only going to be one winner when Newcastle are concerned... This should never have been released in the first place and it’s a very cheap way for Owen to sell his book. It’s not exactly setting an example to the younger generation.
Owen was not mentally weak, his problem was the continual hamstring injuries which affected him. He was thinking about the next injury and not the next goal. It’s a shame but he did not become a top player in the first place because he was mentally weak.
He’s like the character of the golden generation who should’ve been the main character. He had the most potential of any of his counterparts. We’re talking Beckham Gerrard lampard scholes. At one point he was the best striker, winning a ball on dor. So weird that injuries and his personality/choices have turned that narrative around.
So he smashed his jaw away at Watford and claims while watching Match Of The Day that same night that the Newcastle fans were singing what a waste of money? I would ask how he knew from watching on the television it was actually the Newcastle fans that were singing it?
@@kincaidwolf5184 in what way does it 'sum up' Newcastle fans? I make the original point because since attending matches since 1984 in my experience it has always been the opposite fans that have sung what a waste of money if the costly/high profile player misses a chance, gets a bad injury or gets sent off among other examples, it is a jibe opposite fans use, not the fans of the club he plays for, again I would like to ask him how he can claim this just by watching the television.
Come on! get Owen & Shearer together to have it out, that would be interesting to watch, won't be the same as the Brian Clough/Don Revie interview, but would be good to see
If he hadn't behaved so terribly Newcastle fans would've supported him completely after his injuries. He barely set foot in the city and acted disdainfully during his time at the club. People were _desperate_ for him to succeed but I'm afraid he always seemed more interested in horses and money. Which he has since effectively stated as such. Some of his behaviour such as with the youth kid and Southall make him just look like a pretty poor person. Also, ... I quote the good Doctor Owen: "If there's no blood there's not going to be any real head injury....".
Hindsight is a wonderful thing for Owen to reflect back on mistakes made during his career and at Newcastle & im sure both would do it alot differently if they could.
I could be wrong but if it is true Michael Owen at Liverpool stalled on signing a new contract with the intention of seeing out his contract to leave on a free hence shafting L/pool out of getting a fee for him which would of meant massive wages at his next club nice but not much loyalty in that so think about it if Shearer is saying he refused to play due to the fact he did not want to mess up any future move it is probably not far from the truth
I flew him into Newcastle, nice guy.. bright intelligent and personable in every way, I sat at his kitchen table, with Shearer, reading the Sunday papers, fake news, total rubbish in the papers about them falling out, yet they were both sat in front of me, both said the papers were rubbish and I could see they were very friendly with each other. They are both nice people.
A great goalscorer. Why did he get that cruciate injury? Because he was playing his heart out for England. Fashionable to not give him, or Beckham - the credit they deserve. Both exciting players for England, despite a press that undermined everything we did. I like Shearer but there is nothing to indicate he would have become a decent manager. Hardly Owen’s fault that Newcastle went down
Yes it was. Managed to miss the goal from three yards out in a game near the end of the season. A win instead of the draw we got would have kept us up. One of the worst misses I've ever seen. Especially so from a supposed world class striker. User.
@@howardbooker9969 fair point. You’re doing alright now though and good luck to yez. Lucky for us that Nuñez got sent off so early in his Premiership career, so he can learn the lesson. No harm done. Just two points dropped against Palace; three against united; the ignominy of being the only club that United have managed to beat so far; title hopes over before we’ve begun; be lucky to scrape top four. On the positive side, Nuñez receiving intensive training. Hopefully learning how to get a bit of backlift into his headbutts, cos rubbing your top knot in a bloke’s face won’t cut it in town. One miss-kick from three yards out a decade or two ago! Nuñez managed half a dozen before he walked. Stop whingeing, Geordie.
How can you really expected an injured man to play? Ronaldo didn't play at Inter for two years and they cop it, same as Hargreaves at United. No one wants to get injured. Owen was injury prone since prior to arriving to Newcastle. Newcastle knew the risks and gambled for it.
Owen was not given time to recover esp at Liverpool...torn hamstring..no pace..he Never recovered...he shouldve gone to USA for a 2nd opinion and for rehab..instead they patched him up and threw him back onto the pitch....
Sick Note. He spent more time with his Horses !! ( Manor House Stables Michael Owen and his wife Louise, began operating as a training establishment in March 2007 with 30 horses in training. )
Its the last game of the season. You need a result to avoid the drop and your star man is asking for a sick note. I think both accounts are true. Owen did want to be a hero off the bench but he hated Newcastle and wanted another payday.
Me n //owen r the same age adored him growing up he gave us Lfc fans hope through dark times, leaving for Madrid left a very bad taste one which over time could be forgiven but going to the enemy is unforgivable. JUDAS
As a Liverpool fan I enjoyed Owens emergence and rise in the football world but he was given too much too soon and it was his emergence that seen robbie fowler get pushed out of the club which was a travesty, Owen often talked about moving on to play on the continent some day and it made me so happy that we won the champions league that same year he left on his quest to win it with Madrid, I thank Michael for the goals and his efforts but robbie earned that number 9 more# YNWA
Must be pretty gutting for him that after retiring he’s not particularly liked by any set of fans. When a player hangs up his boots and reflects on his career, there’ll be highs, lows and things he regrets. But there will nearly always be a club who’s supporters remember him fondly and will always have time for him. Not Owen. Disliked by fans of pretty much every club he played for.
You can criticize Owen all you want but not me. I remember watching 98 goal argentina. It is perhaps the best goal of my lifetime rooting for England. I was in ohio at a sportspub. That week was just incredible because even though we lost ......i was happy watching that game. The 98 England team was better than 18wc semifinal team. ...as they say hardlines Owen from 18- 23 was the best striker in the world... Love the guys pragmatic personality and roothless scoring mentality Good on you Michael and Thank you
@@emmadeeba2038 owen in his prime was a better form of striker than Henry ever could. His finishing, speed, and knck for open space was top shef. Owen vs Henry at their best...Owen. Henry overall had a better carreeer.
How can you compare Owen to Henry. Joke. Owen was more like Vardy, can never be mentioned in World Class bracket, great finisher over periods, but wasn't a cereal winner, an animal on the field. All the greatest are animals, mentality not avoidance. Owen has a victim mentality as a 40 year old man... When do you ever see him not moaning during an interview. Do fellow players mention him as inspiration, have never a good word about Owen, not from a single player. Every player who played with or against Henry in contrast was in total awe of him.... Won it all with France, Barcelona and still elite into his 30s. There are levels, Henry in the World Class bracket, Owen peaked at Elite Premier League level.
Great talent just imagine having a journey like his coming from a hardworking family to achieving such success congratulations and be proud & thanks for the magic 🌍✌🏼
Owen was just unbelievable as a 17 year old when his pace was electric and defenders couldn't get near him, sadly his pace dropped off as he got older and picked up injuries on the way, I recall him being awful for England in later years.
At the end of the day, Owen had a professional medical at Newcastle and the club decided he was physically good enough to sign a big professional contract. He had a history of muscle problems from being a teenager, especially problematic hamstrings which would routinely snap, groin injuries etc... he was given the contract so it wasn't his fault, and the career of a footballer is very short, so whilst being injured in rehab anyone in their right mind would sit on the money and just try their best to get back to fitness. Genetically Owen was just a severely injury prone talented player, it's just a frustrating situation for the player and the fans. I don't get the hate for Owen, he's always been pretty honest and transparent.
I'm sure i read somewhere his older brother had similar issues, a family genetic issue. So he knew it was going to happen eventually and probably why Liverpool let him go. You can't blame him for one little bit. And yes very frustrating for Newcastle and the fans....but more so for Owen when you have that amazing ability and can't reach it anymore.
Fond memories of refusing to play the last game of the season to help your team. Michael Owen, only cares about himself which is why he isn’t loved by any set of fans.
@@regiment589 not sure the point of your comment, it's common knowledge Owen refused to play games during his time at Newcastle and didn't play the last game. He is even quoted as saying ‘Not sure, to be honest. It doesn’t feel too bad. But I’m out of contract at the end of the season. What if I rip my groin on Saturday? I’ll not get a contract at another club if I’m injured.’
@@Tazastical First of all its not "common" knowledge its Newcastle fans belief based on Shearers bitterness. Second of all quite magicly game multiple to games? Also apparently you dont understand the word "refused". Even if this quote is true there is no "refuse" here. There are examples rushing players back to the game after injury e.g. Ronaldo at Inter or Hargreves at MU. Its understandable he didnt want to stay another 2-3 years out of play because reckless staff claimed he was fully fit. What is more Owen played that last game. Shearer just cant stand he failed so he choose a scapegoat.
As a Liverpool supporter of 30+ years i idolised him for a time as a kid. I love him for what he did for us. Only those that lack deeper understanding and empathy dislike Owen. Most Liverpool supporters, that actually go to the games, would say they respect Owen and do love him for what he gave to us.
Millennium Stadium vs Arsenal the control, pace and the finish with the weaker foot summed up his ability as an extremely potent striker for club & country 👌
Never wanted to be at Newcastle burnt his bridges at Liverpool, sicknote player, took the money gave very little back,, 💰 flew off, paid for his horse racing venture, scuttled off to Man United and ex Liverpool player says everything about him, me, myself and I sums him up.
If I was a famous ex footballer and I wanted to sell my book, I would contact my other famous mates and inform them that I was going to create some phoney controversy in order to garner publicity it would otherwise nor have received...
Retired with fans of all clubs not considering him a legend...... tells you all you need to know about a ‘die hard’ Liverpool fan leaving Liverpool and later joining man united..... And the reason why Shearer thought Owen was fit.......the physio told him he was