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| − | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} | + | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2016}} |
| − | {{Infobox football biography | + | {{Use Indian English|date=November 2016}} |
| − | | name = Steve McManaman | + | {{Infobox person |
| − | | image = 1 steve mcmanaman 2017.jpg | + | | name = Ashmitha |
| − | | image_size =
| + | | image = |
| − | | caption = McManaman playing in a friendly in 2017 | + | | caption = |
| − | | fullname = Steven McManaman | + | | birth_name = Ashmitha Subramaniyam |
| − | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|2|11|df=y}} | + | | birth_date = |
| − | | birth_place = [[Kirkdale, Liverpool|Kirkdale]], [[Lancashire]]<!--Liverpool was in Lancashire until 1974-->, England | + | | birth_place = [[Chennai]], [[India]] |
| − | | height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| + | | residence = |
| − | | position = [[Midfielder#Winger|Winger]]
| + | | other_names = |
| − | | youthyears1 = 1988–1990 |youthclubs1 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] | + | | occupation = Actress |
| − | | years1 = 1990–1999 |clubs1 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] |caps1 = 272 |goals1 = 46 | + | | years_active = 2013–present |
| − | | years2 = 1999–2003 |clubs2 = [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] |caps2 = 94 |goals2 = 8 | + | | imagesize = |
| − | | years3 = 2003–2005 |clubs3 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] |caps3 = 35 |goals3 = 0 | + | | homepage = |
| − | | totalcaps = 401 |totalgoals = 54 | + | | notable role = |
| − | | nationalyears1 = 1991–1993 |nationalteam1 = [[England national under-21 football team|England U21]] |nationalcaps1 = 7 |nationalgoals1 = 1 | |
| − | | nationalyears2 = 1994–2001<ref>{{Cite news|title=Steven 'Steve' McManaman - International Appearances|publisher=The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|url=http://www.rsssf.com/miscellaneous/mcmanaman-intl.html}}</ref> |nationalteam2 = [[England national football team|England]] |nationalcaps2 = 37 |nationalgoals2 = 3 | |
| | }} | | }} |
| − | '''Steven McManaman''' (born 11 February 1972) is an English former [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[midfielder]], [[Midfielder#Winger|winger]] and [[playmaker]] for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] and [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]].<ref name="lfcp">{{cite web | title=Steve McManaman Official Liverpool Profile | url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-players/steve-mcmanaman | accessdate=16 August 2011 | publisher=Liverpool.com}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite news|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOOTBALL%3A+HOULLIER+SET+TO+DITCH+REAL+DEAL+McMANAMAN.-a060172883 |title=Football: Houllier Set to Ditch Real Deal McManaman | work=Sunday Mirror |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=14 March 1999 |accessdate=11 July 2014 }}</ref> McManaman is the most decorated English footballer to have played for a club abroad, with the [[UEFA]] website stating that "of all England's footballing exports in the modern era, none was as successful as McManaman".<ref>{{cite news | title='I loved the life of a galactico's wife' | url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/3623692/I-loved-the-life-of-a-galacticos-wife.html | accessdate=24 August 2009 | author=Rory Ross|publisher=telegraph.co.uk | location=London | date=10 September 2004}}</ref><ref name="uefa">url="http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=1852347.html"</ref> He is currently a co-commentator on [[BT Sport]] football coverage.
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| − | After nine years at Liverpool, during which time he won the [[FA Cup]] and [[EFL Cup|League Cup]], McManaman moved to Real Madrid in 1999. The transfer became one of the most controversial and high-profile [[Bosman ruling]]s of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/35500.html |title=Top Tens: Bosman transfers | Football Top Tens |publisher=ESPN.co.uk |date=23 July 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Laura Williamson |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1094975/Success-free-market-The-10-Bosmans-time.html |title=Success in the free market: The top 10 Bosmans of all time | Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=3 July 2009 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> He became the first English player to win the [[UEFA Champions League]] with a non-English club in 2000, and two years later became the first English player to win the Champions League twice.<ref name="wing" /><ref name="wing" /> He also won [[La Liga]] twice before moving to Manchester City in 2003 and retiring from football in 2005. After his retirement, he worked as a football [[Pundit (expert)|pundit]] for [[Setanta Sports]], [[ESPN]] and [[BT Sport]]. In 2008, he was ranked third in a Top 10 of the greatest British footballers to play overseas, just behind [[Kevin Keegan]] and [[John Charles]].<ref>{{cite news | title=Top 10 Greatest British Footballers to have played Abroad | url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/top10s/article1852729.ece | accessdate=10 October 2008 | work=The Sun | location=London | first=Mike | last=Anstead}}</ref>
| + | '''Ashmitha''' is an Indian film actress who has appeared in Tamil language films. After making her debut in the Tamil film ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'' (2014), she has been in films including ''[[Ninaithathu Yaaro]]'' (2014) and ''[[Atti (film)|Atti]]'' (2016). |
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| − | ==Club career== | + | ==Career== |
| − | [[File:Steve McManaman 2009.jpg|thumb|right|upright|float|McManaman at a memorial match for [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in 2009.]] | + | Born in Chennai, Ashmitha attended [[Don Bosco matriculation school]] in [[Vyasarpadi]], Chennai. In 2014, Ashmitha worked on four films, with her first release being the [[Ajith Kumar|Ajith]]-starrer ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'', where she portrayed the small supporting role of the daughter of [[Thambi Ramaiah]]'s character. She was also subsequently seen in [[Vikraman]]'s family drama ''[[Ninaithathu Yaaro]]'' and then as a rape victim in Ramakrishnan's ''Pongadi Neengalum Unga Kadhalum'', though neither film did well at the box office. The first film she had shot for, Yuvan's ''Athiyayam'', also had a low-profile release during the year.<ref>https://twitter.com/Vinayak4709/status/406642700910215168</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXYriWcC5fI</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHqdu_-_6bw</ref> |
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| − | ===Liverpool===
| + | Both of her initial films as the lead actress had long-delayed releases in December 2016. Despite beginning work in 2014, ''[[Pazhaya Vannarapettai]]'' released first followed by ''[[Atti (film)|Atti]]'' opposite [[Ma Ka Pa Anand]], where she portrayed a speech therapist.<ref>http://www.deccanchronicle.com/160105/entertainment-kollywood/article/ma-ka-pa-anand-turns-solo-hero</ref><ref>http://www.indiaglitz.com/atti-tamil-movie-review-19210.html</ref><ref>http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Pazhaya-Vannarapettai/movie-review/55744097.cms</ref> |
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| − | ====Early days==== | + | ==Filmography== |
| − | McManaman grew up as an [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] supporter,<ref name="evertonian" /> but when Everton offered the player a one-year contract (after McManaman had made a name for himself at tournaments for school and around [[Merseyside]]), McManaman's father rejected it in favour of a schoolboy contract and two-year apprenticeship offer from [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref name="evertonian">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/fa-league-cups/mcmanaman-relishes-spice-of-bitter-rivalry-1515225.html |title=McManaman relishes spice of bitter rivalry - FA & League Cups, Football |work=The Independent |date=25 January 2009 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Steve |last=Tongue}}</ref> McManaman signed as a 16-year-old apprentice upon leaving school in 1988.<ref name="lfcp" /> As an apprentice, McManaman was under the mentoring of [[John Barnes (footballer)|John Barnes]] whom he was being groomed to replace.<ref name="liverpoolfc.tv">{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/100-pwstk-no-22-steve-mcmanaman |title=100 PWSTK - No.22: Steve McManaman - Liverpool FC |publisher=Liverpoolfc.tv |date=5 September 2006 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222180630/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/100-pwstk-no-22-steve-mcmanaman |archivedate=22 February 2011 |df= }}</ref> A natural [[sportsperson|athlete]] and [[Cross country running|cross country]] champion at school level (once beating [[Curtis Robb]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Steve+McMANAMAN%3B+Action+never+stops+for+Kop+star+chasing+glittering...-a061103461 |title=Steve McManaman; Action never stops for Kop star chasing glittering prizes |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Call+me+Steve+McRANAMAN%3b+Kop+ace's+now+on+track+for+world+glory%3b+The...-a061318023 |title=Call me Steve McRanaman; Kop ace's now on track for world glory; The Saturday Interview |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> he developed through the youth scheme at Liverpool and signed as a full professional on 19 February 1990 in what was to be [[Kenny Dalglish]]'s final full season as manager.<ref name="lfch">{{cite web|url=http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=371|title=Steve McManaman Profile|publisher=LFCHistory.net|accessdate=24 August 2009}}</ref>
| + | {| class="wikitable" |
| − | He made his Liverpool debut under Dalglish as a substitute for [[Peter Beardsley]] in the [[Football League First Division]] on 15 December 1990, in a 2–0 league win over [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] at [[Anfield]],<ref name="LFCHistory.net">{{cite web|author=Report |url=http://www.lfchistory.net/viewgame.asp?game_id=1761&season_id=32 |title=Liverpool 2-0 Sheffield United |publisher=Lfchistory.net |date=15 December 1990 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301085549/http://www.lfchistory.net/viewgame.asp?game_Id=1761&season_id=32 |archivedate=1 March 2007 |df= }}</ref> and made his full debut in a 2–1 win over [[Oldham Athletic]] the following season, when [[Graeme Souness]] had become the new manager.<ref name="liverpoolfc.tv" /> He scored his first ever professional goal with a diving header four days later on 21 August 1991 in the 2–1 defeat to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] at [[Maine Road]].
| + | |- style="background:#cccccf; text-align:center;" |
| − | | + | | '''Year''' || '''Film''' || '''Role''' || '''Notes''' |
| − | McManaman's performances in his first season in 1991–92 established him as a regular first team player, making 51 appearances in total, a result of both his form and his being thrown in the deep end after his mentor, Barnes, suffered a career threatening [[Achilles Tendon]] injury.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} He created and scored several goals that year and collected a winner's medal in the [[1992 FA Cup Final]] as Liverpool triumphed 2–0 against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] and was named as the [[man of the match]] having set up the winner for [[Michael Thomas (footballer, born 1967)|Michael Thomas]]<ref name="lfch" /> despite being the youngest player on the pitch. He also featured heavily in their run to the quarter-finals of the [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]]. His performances saw McManaman described by [[Ian Rush]] as the most promising young player at Liverpool.<ref name="lfch" />
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| − | ====Success and fame====
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| − | Although McManaman had a couple of quieter seasons with the advent of the [[Premier League]], he continued to develop a reputation as one of English football's two best emerging young wingers alongside [[Ryan Giggs]] of [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref name="wing">{{cite web|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/player-profiles/steve-mcmanaman|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711100043/http://www.givemefootball.com/player-profiles/steve-mcmanaman|archivedate=11 July 2011|title=Steve McManaman Profile |publisher=Give Me Football |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> A BBC article described the pair as able to "embarrass defences with their mazy runs, which too often lack the finishing touch they deserve".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1433721.stm |title=Might of the midfielders |work=BBC Sport |date=11 July 2001 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In [[1993–94 in English football|1993–94]], McManaman showed fine form with two goals against [[Swindon Town F.C.|Swindon Town]] and some assists including a spectacular run and assist against [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]. However this form faltered following a confidence drop after an incident with [[Bruce Grobbelaar]] towards the end of a [[Merseyside derby]], when the players exchanged blows after Grobelaar lambasted McManaman for a poor clearance which led to a goal being conceded (an incident later named as one of the top five bust ups between teammates in Premier League history).<ref>{{cite web|author=29 December, 13:25:52 GMT 2008 |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/Football39s-top-five-bustups.4828149.jp |title=Football's top five bust-ups |work=Blackpool Gazette |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In [[1994–95 in English football|1994–95]], McManaman got a new million pound contract, and was given a central, freer role by new coach [[Roy Evans]], who wanted to utilise McManaman's natural running and dribbling ability to drift all over the park. It proved a successful decision as McManaman began mesmerising defences with runs that were later to become hallmarks of the Liverpool side of the 1990s. That season he collected a [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] winner's medal after scoring twice in his side's 2–1 win over [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]]; such was his performance that fans named it [[1995 Football League Cup Final|"The McManaman Final"]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-players/steve-mcmanaman |title=Steve McManaman – Liverpool F.C. |publisher=Liverpoolfc.tv |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> For his second [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] final appearance in succession he was awarded man of the match, earning the [[Alan Hardaker Trophy]] and a tribute from guest of honour, celebrated veteran winger [[Sir Stanley Matthews]], who exclaimed after the final, "He reminds me of me when I was playing ...<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/He's+Sir+Stan+with+curls..-a061068823 |title=He's Sir Stan with curls |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> I wish there are more dribblers like him."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/654765.stm |title=A Blackpool fan remembers Sir Stan |work=BBC News |date=24 February 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | By the end of [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]], McManaman was top of the Premier League goal assists chart with 25 assists over the season,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2010/11/steve-mcmanaman-joins-espn-as-soccer-analyst/ |title=Steve McManaman Joins ESPN as Soccer Analyst |publisher=Espnmediazone.com |date=3 November 2010 |accessdate=11 July 2014}}</ref> including assists and top ratings in [[Liverpool F.C. 4–3 Newcastle United F.C. (1996)|a match against Newcastle]] voted the best of the decade in the [[Premier League 10 Seasons Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/STAN-DING+OVATION!%3B+LIVERPOOL+4%3B+NEWCASTLE+3.-a061321367 |title=Stan-Ding Ovation!; Liverpool 4; Newcastle 3|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=264175&root=england&cc=5739 |title=Ten years and counting |publisher=ESPN |accessdate=17 December 2007 }}</ref> By now, McManaman was ranked as one of the finest midfielders in England and had developed a strong reputation on the European stage following [[UEFA Euro 1996]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/01/15/1062195/former-real-madrid-midfielder-mcmanaman-believes-liverpool-can-w|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119002943/http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/01/15/1062195/former-real-madrid-midfielder-mcmanaman-believes-liverpool-can-w|archivedate=19 January 2009|title=Former Real Madrid Midfielder McManaman Believes Liverpool Can Win League Title|first=Alan|last=Dawson|publisher=Goal.com|date=15 January 2009|accessdate=11 July 2014}}</ref> earning praise from many at the time including [[Kevin Keegan]], who said "there are few finer sights in world football than the sight of Steve McManaman running down the length of the pitch".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.short-biographies.com/biographies/SteveMcManaman.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112090157/http://www.short-biographies.com/biographies/SteveMcManaman.html |archivedate=12 January 2008 |title=Biography of Steve McManaman |publisher=Short-biographies.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman had also been noted for his versatility in his free role, switching from right to left wings, and his ability to play in central midfield, behind the front pair, or as a forward, with many notable managers including then [[AFC Ajax|Ajax]] coach [[Louis van Gaal]], describing it as a role few could pull off the way McManaman had.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_1996_March_22/licence-roam-mcmanaman-free-role/ai_n35754138/ ]{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref> McManaman was credited for making the role manager Evans gave him work, with the result being that Liverpool were playing some of the most aesthetically pleasing attacking football at the time in England.<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news|last=Smyth |first=Rob |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2007/feb/15/onsecondthoughtsroyevans |title=On second thoughts ... Roy Evans |work=The Guardian |date= 15 February 2007|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman was also said to have been one of only a handful of so-called "talismanic" players along with [[Eric Cantona]] and [[Gianfranco Zola]] in the league at the time believed to have the charisma to lift supporters from their seats each time they got the ball.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-wins-the-old-left-vote-1082035.html |title=Football: McManaman wins the old left vote – Sport |work=The Independent |date=21 March 1999 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Tim |last=Collings}}</ref> Managers would deploy a man-marker specifically to follow him for an entire game,<ref>{{cite news|last=Pleat |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/apr/08/chalkboard-liverpool-chelsea-champions-league |title=David Pleat: Chelsea must stop Liverpool's Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard |work=The Guardian |date=8 April 2009 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> with Gianfranco Zola noting that McManaman was the player the Italian national players monitored the most.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TROUBLE+MACCA%3b+Zola%3a+We+fear+him.-a061115842 |title=Trouble Macca; Zola: We fear him |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> [[Howard Wilkinson]] said McManaman was "virtually unstoppable" at times,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BLESS+THIS+SCOUSE%3b+Liverpool+3%2c+Leeds+0.-a061324525 |title=Bless This Scouse; Liverpool 3, Leeds 0 |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> while then [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] manager, [[Bryan Robson]], was quoted as saying that "everyone in the Premiership knows that if you stop McManaman, you stop Liverpool".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.growsport.com/lxiplayers.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707005142/http://www.growsport.com/lxiplayers.htm|archivedate=7 July 2009|title=The Footballing Legends Are Coming...|publisher=growsport.com|accessdate=11 July 2014}}</ref><ref>https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/18/sports/18iht-mac.t.html"</ref><ref>url="http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/6186660.Rovers_must_stop_McManaman/</ref> Roy Evans, attempting to diminish the attention on marking McManaman, stated, "I would hate to think we are no more than a one-man team."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/McMANN+OF+WAR%3B+Liverpool+0,+Sheffield+Wednesday+1%3A+Atherton+anchors...-a061284026|title=McMANN OF WAR; Liverpool 0, Sheffield Wednesday 1: Atherton anchors down super Steve.|work=thefreelibrary.com}}</ref> German coach [[Berti Vogts]] named McManaman as one of only three Premiership players in his select European XI Team.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/We'll+give+Mac+pounds+1m+a+season.-a061172946 |title=We'll give Mac pounds 1m a season |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | ===="Spice Boys"====
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| − | However, things started to turn sour for McManaman and some of his teammates. As their fame increased, [[Tabloid (newspaper format)|tabloid]] newspaper stories of [[lad culture]] excesses emerged and this, fused with underachievement on the pitch, brought criticism in the media. Defeat to [[Alex Ferguson|Sir Alex Ferguson]]'s Manchester United in two title races including the [[1996 FA Cup Final|1996 FA Cup final]], a game where the Liverpool team arrived to inspect the pitch wearing cream coloured [[Armani]] suits intensified the criticism.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/4694012.stm | work=BBC News | title=FA Cup flashback | date=16 February 2006 | accessdate=24 May 2010 | first=Ian | last=Wilkerson}}</ref> McManaman and other teammates were reported to have cashed in on their newfound fame as stars of the nascent Premier League, to live a high life involving [[groupies]], [[nightclub|clubbing]] and other "high jinks". Modelling contracts and deals with fashion labels like [[Topman|Top Man]], [[Hugo Boss]] and Armani culminated in their collective nickname, the "[[Spice Boys (footballers)|Spice Boys]]".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/james-joins-spice-boys-for-quiet-reunion-573424.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909114704/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/james-joins-spice-boys-for-quiet-reunion-573424.html |archivedate=9 September 2009 |title=James joins Spice Boys for quiet reunion – Premier League, Football |work=The Independent |date=17 January 2004 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> The situation was further aggravated by stories of McManaman and [[Robbie Fowler]]'s lifestyles off the pitch following an interview with the magazine ''[[Loaded (magazine)|Loaded]]'', which depicted the duo as [[hedonists]] and [[scallie|scally]] characters, as well as stories about McManaman and Fowler's lack of decorum and disruptive influence in the dressing room.<ref name="guardian.co.uk"/> McManaman responded by joining ''[[The Times]]'' to write a weekly column, becoming the first footballer of his generation to do so.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-changes-perceptions-1277870.html |title=Football: McManaman changes perceptions – Sport |work=The Independent |date=10 February 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Glenn |last=Moore}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman was also criticised for scoring too few goals, although he did make up for this with a formidable rate of assists for the likes of Fowler and later [[Michael Owen]], with Owen saying that "Liverpool at the time was built around McManaman"<ref>url="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10277248/Liverpool-v-Manchester-United-Anfield-club-remain-a-work-in-progress-under-Brendan-Rodgers.html"</ref> and was an average team whenever McManaman was not on form.<ref>{{cite news|last=Owen |first=Michael |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/england/7840656/World-Cup-2010-Wayne-Rooney-can-get-back-in-the-goals-to-spark-Three-Lions-into-life.html |title=World Cup 2010: Wayne Rooney can get back in the goals to spark Three Lions into life |work=The Telegraph |date=20 June 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> The few goals that McManaman did score tended to be spectacular or memorable – most notably an [[injury time]] solo goal against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] in the UEFA Cup, when McManaman scored after a 75-yard dribble. Other outstanding goals during his Liverpool career included goals against [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] and scoring the winner in a match against [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] with a stunning [[volley (football)|volley]], after which he won a [[Professional Footballers' Association|PFA]] Player of the Month award in December 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/liverpool/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/01/10/SOCCER_Liverpool_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=liverpool&DIV=prem&TEAM=LIVERPOOL&RH=Liverpool&PREV_SEASON=1996 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20070615055150/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/liverpool/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/98/01/10/SOCCER_Liverpool_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=liverpool&DIV=prem&TEAM=LIVERPOOL&RH=Liverpool&PREV_SEASON=1996 |dead-url=yes |archivedate=15 June 2007 |title=Football News |work=Sporting Life |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | ====Contract wrangles====
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| − | In August 1997, Liverpool, having been unable to agree a new contract with McManaman and fearing that the player might leave on a [[Bosman ruling|Bosman free transfer]], accepted a £12 million bid for the player from [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/> The deal subsequently fell apart amidst recriminations about the player's remuneration demands and Barcelona's motives for the bid, being in negotiation with [[Rivaldo]] at the same time and snubbing McManaman when he travelled to Spain to meet them.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/barcelona-move-for-mcmanaman-1245575.html|title=Barcelona move for McManaman |work=The Independent |date=15 August 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011|first=Alan |last=Nixon}}</ref><ref name="thefreelibrary.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/24+hours+that+turned+his+dream+into+a+nightmare%3b+MIRROR+SPORT+ON+THE...-a061068832|title=24 hours that turned his dream into a nightmare; Mirror Sport On the pounds 12m Macca Bombshell|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> By the end of the saga, the whole fiasco seemed to be a non-affair, with Barcelona signing Rivaldo after Sir [[Bobby Robson]] intervened and told Louis van Gaal that McManaman was a cosmetic player who would not score 18 goals a season for Barcelona,<ref>url="http://www.nufc.com/html/robson_independent.html"</ref> while McManaman himself stated that he had no desire to leave Liverpool and with two years left on his contract was simply not in any rush to sign a new one.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/DIRTY+BARCAS+DUPED+ME!%3B+I+was+in+Barcelona+while+Nou+Camp+chief+was...-a061074931|title=Dirty Barcas Duped Me!; I was in Barcelona while Nou Camp chief was 700 miles away signing Brazilian Rivaldo Says Steve McManaman |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> A subsequent bid of £11 million from [[Juventus F.C.|Juventus]] in November of the same year was rejected by both club and player.<ref name="espn.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/71786.html|title=The leaving of Liverpool | Football First XIs|publisher=ESPN.co.uk |date=3 February 2011|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+The+hardest+decision+of+my+life%3B+STEVE+McMANAMAN+TALKS...-a060226444|title=Football: The hardest decision of my life; Steve Mcmanaman Talks Exclusively to About His Move to Spain|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman was named Liverpool captain at the start of the [[1998–99 in English football|1998–99 season]],<ref name="lfcp" /><ref name="liverpoolfc.tv" /> but contract negotiations continued to flounder as the club could not match the sums available to McManaman if he left as a free agent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SPICE+BOYS+KOP+pounds+20m+OFFER%3b+Double-yer-money+bid+to+keep+Macca...-a061110320|title=Spice Boys Kop pounds 20m Offer; Double-yer-money bid to keep Macca and Robbie |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com|date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Having been overlooked by [[Glenn Hoddle]] for the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]] squad in an underachieving Liverpool side,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOOTBALL%3a+HODDLE'S+DECISION+WILL+SOLVE+MACCA+RIDDLE%3b+At+26+Liverpool...-a060641582|title=Football: Hoddle's Decision Will Solve Macca Riddle; At 26 Liverpool star will know his future is in Europe if he's out of final 22 |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> denounced in the English media as being greedy and bolstered by advice from the likes of fellow professionals [[Paul Ince]], [[Paul Gascoigne]], [[David Platt (footballer)|David Platt]] and [[Chris Waddle]],<ref name="madrid">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-macca-in-move-to-real-madrid-1077275.html|title=Football: Macca in move to Real Madrid|work=The Independent |date=30 January 1999|accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Alan |last=Nixon}}</ref> McManaman publicly announced his desire to play abroad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/WE'RE+REAL+KEEN+ON+MACCA%3b+Spanish+giants'+shock.-a060629481|title=We're Real Keen on Macca; Spanish giants' shock|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | Numerous European clubs circled the soon-to-be free agent, with [[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]] quickly being seen as his most likely destination.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/217849.stm|title=Race for Macca hots Up|work=BBC Sport|date=19 November 1998|accessdate=24 August 2009}}</ref> In January 1999, it was reported that McManaman was talking to Real with the player reportedly offered £60,000 a week and nearly £2 million as a signing on fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3a+Madrid+mad+for+Macca.-a060170269|title=Football: Madrid mad for Macca|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> On 30 January, McManaman passed a [[medical]] and signed an official pre-contract with the club which would make him the best paid British footballer to date.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lanson Kelly|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/01/30/phead.htm|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629074730/http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/1999/01/30/phead.htm|archivedate=29 June 2011 |title=Soccer News, January 30, 1999|publisher=Archives.tcm.ie |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/265954.stm|title=McManaman's Spanish Jackpot |work=BBC Sport |date=30 January 1999 |accessdate=3 June 2017}}</ref> He declined to pose in a Real Madrid shirt at the contract signing event, out of respect for Liverpool's fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOOTBALL%3a+MACCA'S+STRIP+CHOKER.-a060395825|title=Football: Macca's Strip Choker|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman's image of being a contract rebel and [[mercenary]] was exacerbated by his involvement in a year-long dispute between 1997 and 1998 with [[Umbro]], his [[football boot]] sponsor. Umbro sued him for [[breach of contract]] for knowingly wearing [[Reebok]] branded boots in contravention of the deal, and deliberately "blacking out" their [[logo]] on his boots in protest.<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/daily-mail-london-england-the/mi_8002/is_1997_August_30/ripleys-england-return-leaves-mcnamara/ai_n35826550/ ]{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref> McManaman argued that his contract was unenforceable and an unlawful [[restraint of trade]].<ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/news-letter-belfast-northern-ireland-the/mi_7950/is_1997_Sept_12/steve-order-boot/ai_n35605187/?tag=rel.res1 ]{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref> McManaman claimed that he was being exploited. He hired the services of agent [[Simon Fuller]] to help free him from the sponsorship contract.<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MR+SPICE'S+pounds+1m+FIGHT+TO+GET+SOCCER+STAR+WHAT+HE+REALLY+REALLY...-a061111956 ]</ref> The court initially ordered McManaman to fulfil his contract, plus an undertaking to pay Umbro's legal costs for launching [[contempt of court]] proceedings against him in 1997, which McManaman accepted and apologised for.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/1997/0912/index.html |title=ireland.com – The Irish Times – finance |work=The Irish Times |date=12 September 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> A year on, however, McManaman continued to dishonour the deal.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/1999/apr/11/theyoungrich |title=The entertainers |work=The Guardian |date= 11 April 1999|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> He finally won an out-of-court [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]] in October 1998, freeing him to negotiate with other companies for what he regarded as remuneration appropriate to his status.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-302083/McManaman-chasing-booty-store-wars-hit-silly-season.html |title=McManaman chasing booty as store wars hit silly season|work=Daily Mail |date=7 October 1998 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Ian |last=Wooldridge}}</ref> The case, in addition to his Liverpool contract wrangles saw the media describe McManaman as the "star performer in his own [[soap opera|soap]]",<ref name="findarticles.com">[http://findarticles.com/p/news-articles/mail-on-sunday-london-england-the/mi_8003/is_1997_Sept_28/remaking-ladmcmanaman-star-performer-soap/ai_n35793620/ ]{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref> though McManaman's Liverpool manager Roy Evans defended the player, stating, "Macca is so laid-back you would never know he was hurting inside. But he has been. Some of the criticisms have been so unfair. Typical of Macca, he's responded magnificently."<ref name="findarticles.com"/>
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| − | ====Departure====
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| − | Having signed the pre-contract with Real Madrid, McManaman still had five months left on his contract at Liverpool. New manager [[Gérard Houllier]], who had replaced Evans as full coach following the failure of their joint-managerial role, was widely believed to want to get rid of the "Spice Boys" mentality and cavalier attitudes at the club<ref>{{cite news|last=Malam |first=Colin |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/3038405/Spice-Boys-are-dancing-to-a-new-tune.html |title=Spice Boys are dancing to a new tune |work=The Telegraph |date=24 November 2002 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> having told many players they were surplus to requirements (including [[Jason McAteer]], [[Phil Babb]], [[Rob Jones (footballer, born 1971)|Rob Jones]], [[Stig Bjornebye]] and [[Paul Ince]]). While stating that he would have preferred that the player stayed, he said that the club had to respect McManaman's decision to exercise his right to leave at the end of his contract. Houllier said, "It wasn't unexpected. Steve had always maintained that he wanted to move abroad and I have to respect that ... Emotionally we will miss him because he's a Liverpool lad, and needless to say as a player you can't fault him because he has immense ability ... I will have to replace him, it's my job to go out and find another Steve McManaman."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Macca%3A+I+will+sweat+blood+for+the+reds.-a060159388 |title=Football: Macca: I will sweat blood for the reds |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In McManaman's final games for the club in the second half of the [[1998–99 in English football|1998–99 season]], he began turning in mixed performances, with the media accusing him of playing out his final season in a "desultory manner".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/liverpool-bids-farewell-to-the-last-spice-boy-618630.html |title=Liverpool bids farewell to the last Spice Boy – Premier League, Football |work=The Independent |date=30 November 2001 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> His form dipped at times, arguably due to a combination of injuries, being restricted to substitute appearances (as Houllier wanted to cut the side's dependency on his gameplay and replace him<ref name="ReferenceB"/>), and loss of confidence in certain games where even the home fans turned against him over the contract debacle, with some labelling him a "traitor" and a [[Judas Iscariot|Judas]] figure.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-denies-fan-rift-1078784.html|title=McManaman Denies Fan Rift|author=Mark Pierson|work=The Independent| date=6 March 1999 |accessdate=24 August 2009 | location=London}}</ref> McManaman told the media after one such game where he became victim of the "boo boys", saying, "That's understandable, when I came off the other day I knew the reaction there was going to be. But I think if they put themselves in the same predicament, and the fact that I have been at Liverpool for 12 years and that I would like to test myself in a foreign country, that's understandable."<ref>[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Macca+vow+to+Kop+fans.-a060202390 ]</ref>
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| − | McManaman also suffered personal tragedy when his mother Irene, who was bedridden with [[breast cancer]] for two years, died during this time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/mum-diagnosed-breast-cancer-44-5306534 |title=When my Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44, it was such a shock |work=Ellesmere Port Pioneer |date=30 October 2003 |accessdate=11 July 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715002402/http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/local-news/mum-diagnosed-breast-cancer-44-5306534 |archivedate=15 July 2014 |df= }}</ref>
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| − | The combination of these factors meant McManaman suffered a loss of form, but, McManaman managed to rally and pick up his play right at the end of that last campaign. McManaman scored a crucial goal away at [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], set up a dramatic injury time equaliser with a through-ball for Paul Ince to score in front of the Kop against Manchester United,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/video/100-collections/100-goals-premiership/5384-top-prem-goals-41 |title=LFCTV Online :: Top Prem Goals: 41 |publisher=Liverpoolfc.tv |date= |accessdate=11 July 2014}}</ref> and scored the winner from outside the area with a half volley to complete the full turn around result against Tottenham Hotspur after trailing 2–0 at half-time.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-masks-liverpools-lethargy-1091167.html |title=Football: McManaman masks Liverpool's lethargy – Sport |work=The Independent |date=3 May 1999 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Phil |last=Andrews}}</ref> In what was the final match of the season, and what would be McManaman's final match and final contribution on the pitch for the club, McManaman assisted [[Karl-Heinz Riedle]] with a goal at the [[Spion Kop (stadiums)|Kop]] with a trademark right wing run and pull back as Liverpool won 3–0 against [[Wimbledon F.C.|Wimbledon]], enabling McManaman to end his career at the club to a standing ovation, a lap of honour at Anfield,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/may/17/match.sport3 |title=McManaman leaves his mark |work=The Guardian | date=17 May 1999 |accessdate=3 June 2017 | location=London | first=Nick | last=Alexander}}</ref> and a two row squad farewell at the entrance of the players' tunnel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/liverpool/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/05/16/SOCCER_Liverpool_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=liverpool&DIV=prem&TEAM=LIVERPOOL&RH=Liverpool&PREV_SEASON=1997 |archive-url=https://archive.is/20070615055150/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/liverpool/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/99/05/16/SOCCER_Liverpool_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=liverpool&DIV=prem&TEAM=LIVERPOOL&RH=Liverpool&PREV_SEASON=1997 |dead-url=yes |archivedate=15 June 2007 |title=Football News |work=Sporting Life |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | ====Achievements====
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| − | In spite of the side only winning two trophies during his time with Liverpool, McManaman's achievements at the club were exceptional for a player in a side often labelled negatively. McManaman finished alongside [[Nick Barmby]] as joint runner up to Ryan Giggs in the [[PFA Young Player of the Year]] awards in 1992,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://the4thofficial.co.uk/2011/12/07/4-4-2-steve-mcmanaman/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328150906/http://the4thofficial.co.uk/2011/12/07/4-4-2-steve-mcmanaman/|archivedate=28 March 2013|title=4-4-2 : Steve McManaman|first=Rob|last=Peters|publisher=the4thofficial.co.uk|date=7 December 2011|accessdate=11 July 2014}}</ref> was named in the [[PFA Team of the Year]] for [[PFA Team of the Year (1990s)#FA Premier League 5|1996–97]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesportcourt.co.uk/mastercard-sport-court/the-panel/ |title=The Sport Court |publisher=The Sport Court |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> and also made the five man shortlist for [[PFA Player of the Year]] for three seasons from [[1995–96 in English football|1995–96]] to [[1997–98 in English football|1997–98]], with the PFA website describing him as one of the most gifted players of his generation.<ref name="wing"/>
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| − | For a time, McManaman held the record for most consecutive Premier League appearances as an ever-present at Liverpool for four seasons including a club record for most appearances, and at the time of leaving the Premiership had the second highest ratio of Premier League assists per game, with 112 assists in 272 appearances,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.premiersoccerstats.com/Records.cfm?DOrderby=Ass&DYearby=All%20Seasons |title=English Premier League All Time Assists Charts |publisher=SoccerStats | date=December 2008 |accessdate=12 October 2008}}</ref> with a total of 142 assists for the club;<ref>url="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fantasy-football-how-team-gb-3359971"</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thekop.liverpoolfc.tv/_Steve-McManaman-1990-1999-midfielder-66-goals-142-assist/photo/13487613/173471.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325222557/http://thekop.liverpoolfc.tv/_Steve-McManaman-1990-1999-midfielder-66-goals-142-assist/photo/13487613/173471.html |archivedate=25 March 2012 |title=Steve McManaman (1990–1999) midfielder 66 goals 142 assist - The Kop Photo - Liverpool FC |publisher=Thekop.liverpoolfc.tv |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> an average of one assist per two-and-a-half games. As of 2011–12, McManaman holds the 14th position on the Premiership's All Time Assists charts.<ref>url="http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/big-picture/2011-07-20/premier-league-all-time-top-20-assists-tally-whos-made-most-goals?p=6"</ref> Until 2011, McManaman held the record for greatest number of assists in Liverpool history, ahead of [[Steven Gerrard]], who has since overtaken him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverweb.org.uk/assists.asp?season=199596 |title=Liverpool FC Premiership Assists |publisher=Liverweb |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719154505/http://www.liverweb.org.uk/assists.asp?season=199596 |archivedate=19 July 2011 |df= }}</ref> McManaman is also ranked fifth on the Premier League all-time assists charts for number of games it took to hit 100 assists, and also in terms of being the fifth youngest player to hit 100 assists in Premier League history, with only [[Thierry Henry]], [[Cesc Fàbregas]], Ryan Giggs and [[David Beckham]] above him on the list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://1nildown2oneup.net/the-greatest-goal-makers-in-the-premier-league-revealed-and-is-fabregas-yet-to-add-to-his-tally/|title=The Greatest Goal Makers in the Premier League revealed and is Fabregas yet to add to his tally?|work=1 Nil Down 2 One Up}}</ref>
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| − | On 5 September 2006, Steve McManaman was named #22 in the official Liverpool website's "100 Players Who Shook The Kop" list,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/100-pwstk-the-definitive-list |title=100 Players who Shook the Kop - Definitive List |publisher=liverpool.tv |date=6 October 2006 |accessdate=11 July 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212082021/http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/100-pwstk-the-definitive-list |archivedate=12 December 2013 }}</ref> in which [[Jamie Carragher]] described McManaman as "the best midfield player in the country for three or four years" running.<ref name="liverpoolfc.tv"/> Both Rob Jones<ref>url="http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20554929"</ref> and Robbie Fowler gave two interviews in 2012–13 in which they stated McManaman was the greatest player they ever played alongside,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/19671796|title=BBC Sport - Friday's sport as it happened|work=BBC Sport}}</ref> with Fowler saying, "I've played with many, many great players. Paul Gascoigne was fantastic and I could sit here all day and talk about Liverpool players – John Barnes, Ian Rush, [[Jan Molby]], [[Ronnie Whelan]] and Steven Gerrard, who is an unbelievable player. He would probably be my number two. The best player I've ever played with is Steve McManaman ... he really was that good."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.givemefootball.com/premier-league/liverpool-legend-picks-mcmanaman-over-gerrard|title=Liverpool legend picks McManaman over Gerrard|work=GiveMeSport}}</ref> In 2013, McManaman was named #20 in the official Liverpool website's second "100 Players Who Shook the Kop" list, rising up by two positions.
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| − | When [[Mark Lawrenson]] and [[Jim Beglin]] named McManaman in their team of the 1990s, they said that most managers in the league used the same tactic of marking McManaman to stop Liverpool and whilst it was a tremendous compliment to McManaman,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FOOTBALL%3A+FOWLER+MY+LEADER%3B+Robbie+and+Rush+the+hitmen+in+Anfield's...-a061099724 |title=Football: Fowler My Leader; Robbie and Rush the hitmen in Anfield's Nineties all-stars|publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> the opposition could stop Liverpool because the tactical system of [[formation (association football)#3–5–2|3–5–2]] or [[formation (association football)#3–4–1–2|3–4–1–2]] was too dependent on McManaman and would fail if McManaman was off form, or if the team was not complemented by a quality defence (players who could play both wingback and centre half to cope with onslaughts), or the presence of a steely defensive midfielder, which was what happened with the team of that time. Nevertheless, McManaman was voted in on the official Liverpool FC website as the club's midfielder of the 1990s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/robbie-crowned-king-of-the-90s |title=Robbie crowned King of the 90s - Liverpool FC |publisher=Liverpoolfc.tv |date=16 October 2009 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113113648/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/robbie-crowned-king-of-the-90s |archivedate=13 January 2010 |df= }}</ref> was named by [[Ruud Gullit]] as one of his top two players from the entire Premier League era,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://asia.eurosport.com/football/the-dugout/2011/gullit-hails-liverpool-duo_sto2996916/story.shtml|title=Gullit hails Liverpool duo|date=20 October 2011|work=Eurosport Asia}}</ref> and despite Liverpool fans' disappointment over the nature of how McManaman conducted his departure, it is believed that many fans still regard McManaman (along with Fowler) as the two players who carried Liverpool through the 1990s.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/owen-delays-decision-on-his-future-until-summer-1208523.html?action=gallery&ino=4 |title=Steve McManaman (Liverpool to Real Madrid, 1999) Winger McManaman was another |work=The Independent|date=23 December 2008 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Sam |last=Wallace}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Tony Barrett |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/11/28/figures-paint-worrying-picture-of-liverpool-s-kirkby-academy-100252-22361007/ |title=Figures paint worrying picture of Liverpool's Kirkby Academy |work=Liverpool Echo |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In 2012, as part of the FA [[Premier League 20 Seasons Awards]], Steve McManaman was named on the shortlist for the award of best right midfielder,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2012/apr/17/20-years-premier-league-awards|title=The Invincibles, SAS and Cantona - 20 years of the Premier League|author=Kevin McCarra|work=the Guardian}}</ref> which was eventually won by [[Cristiano Ronaldo]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/features/20-seasons-awards-fantasy-team/ |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-04-17 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160522054237/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/features/20-seasons-awards-fantasy-team/ |archivedate=22 May 2016 |df= }}"</ref>
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| − | ===Real Madrid===
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| − | ====Early success====
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| − | On 1 July 1999, after 364 appearances and 66 goals for Liverpool, McManaman transferred to Real Madrid as [[Guus Hiddink]]'s last signing<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wldcup.com/euro/2000/news/1999Feb/19990217_1002_world_soccer.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706070544/http://www.wldcup.com/euro/2000/news/1999Feb/19990217_1002_world_soccer.html |archivedate=6 July 2008 |title=World Cup Soccer. All the top world soccer news daily. News from international soccer. World Cup 2010, Euro 2008, champion's league, premier league football, bundesliga, serie |publisher=Wldcup.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> (before being sacked, and while the club was under president [[Lorenzo Sanz]]).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/265954.stm | title=McManaman's Spanish jackpot | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=30 January 1999 | accessdate=7 March 2008}}</ref> Before McManaman arrived, the club was described as undergoing a management and debt crisis and [[Raúl (footballer)|Raúl]] told the press, "The [[dressing room]] is a cesspit of lies, treachery and whispers ... I feel sorry for new players like Steve McManaman coming into the club. If McManaman thinks he is coming to one of the world's top clubs then he has made a big mistake."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+CESSPIT+OF+LIES+AND+TREACHERY%3B+McManaman+walking+into+a...-a060381417 |title=Football: Cesspit of Lies and Treachery; McManaman walking into a nightmare at Real Madrid, warn his new team-mates |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> The club appointed [[John Toshack]] as its new coach and had already been forced to sell key players like [[Predrag Mijatović]], [[Davor Šuker]] and [[Christian Panucci]] due to mounting debt, while [[Clarence Seedorf]] was also released shortly after McManaman arrived.<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/He's+all+yours%3B+Real+to+offer+troublemaker+Seedorf+to+the+Gunners.-a0109754326</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/real-madrid-continues-decline-from-the-european-high-of-1998.aspx?pageID=438&n=real-madrid-continues-decline-from-the-european-high-of-1998-1999-12-29|title=Real Madrid continues decline from the European high of 1998|work=Hurriyet Daily News|date=29 December 1999|accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref> McManaman's arrival saw him become only the second English player to ever play for the club, after [[Laurie Cunningham]] had played for them in the 1980s. He was also the most high-profile English footballer to move to [[La Liga|Spanish]] football since [[Gary Lineker]] had moved to Barcelona from Everton in 1986. Thereafter he proved an instant hit with the fans at the [[Santiago Bernabéu Stadium]] after scoring three times and creating several goals in his first few games for ''Los Merengues''.<ref name="wright" />
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| − | McManaman made his debut for Madrid on 22 August 1999 in the 2–1 La Liga win over [[RCD Mallorca|Mallorca]] at the [[ONO Estadi|Son Moix]] stadium, [[Mallorca]], where he assisted [[Fernando Morientes]] in scoring the [[injury time]] winner. He scored his first goal for the club a week later on his home debut on 29 August in a 4–1 thumping of [[CD Numancia|Numancia]] at the Santiago Bernabéu.
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| − | In December 1999 to January 2000, McManaman and the Madrid team took part in the controversial inaugural [[FIFA Club World Championship]]s in [[Rio de Janeiro]], where McManaman missed an injury time chance to win the game, and then the [[Penalty kick (association football)|penalty kick]] against [[Club Necaxa|Necaxa]] that would have sent Madrid into third place.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/special_report/1999/12/99/world_club_championship/604240.stm |title=Mexican penalty kings depose Real |work=BBC News |date=14 January 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman and the team then returned to Spain and established themselves as the side that went all the way to the [[2000 UEFA Champions League Final|2000 Champions League final]] under new coach [[Vicente del Bosque]], who had replaced John Toshack in November. McManaman's form in the buildup saw him receive several man of the match awards, forming a strong midfield partnership with [[Fernando Redondo]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/apr/04/championsleague.sport3 |title=Real Madrid 0 – 0 Man Utd | Football |publisher=guardian.co.uk |date= 4 April 2000|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> as Madrid beat holders Manchester United and [[FC Bayern Munich|Bayern Munich]] to reach the final.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/03/championsleague.sport |title=Real Madrid 2 – 0 Bayern Munich |work=The Guardian |date= 3 May 2000|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> It was at this Champions League final (played at the [[Stade de France]], [[Paris]]) that McManaman experienced his finest hour as a player, scoring a spectacular volley in a 3–0 victory over [[Valencia CF|Valencia]]. His performance on this greatest of club football stages saw him hailed the man of the match by the English press,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/25/championsleague.sport1 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=McManaman the matador toys with Valencia | date=25 May 2000 | accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=David Lacey in Paris |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/may/25/championsleague.sport2 |title=Real reveal Spain's upper class | Football |work=The Guardian |date= 25 May 2000|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> a view endorsed by his Madrid teammate [[Iván Helguera]].<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/mcmanaman-smiles-all-the-way-to-the-bank-696673.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090914032423/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/internationals/mcmanaman-smiles-all-the-way-to-the-bank-696673.html |archivedate=14 September 2009 | work=The Independent | location=London | title=McManaman smiles all the way to the bank | date=13 August 2000 | accessdate=24 May 2010 | deadurl=no}}</ref> His part in Madrid's eighth European Cup win saw him become the first English player ever to win Europe's premier club competition with a foreign club.
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| − | ====2000–01 season====
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| − | Despite the Champions League final performance and having established himself as a valuable player in his first year in Madrid, the arrival of a new club president in [[Florentino Pérez]], closely followed by former Barcelona superstar midfielder [[Luís Figo]] in a club record transfer, saw the club forced to sell several key players to reduce debt. Fernando Redondo, [[Nicolas Anelka]], [[Christian Karembeu]] and McManaman were suddenly told they were surplus to requirements before the start of the [[2000–01 Real Madrid C.F. season|2000–01 season]] and were sold.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/891286.stm |title=BBC Sport | Europe | Figo not the major arrival |work=BBC News |date=24 August 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> When McManaman refused to leave unlike the others, manager Vicente del Bosque told McManaman that he had "little chance of playing this year",<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/aug/09/newsstory.sport1 | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Real tell McManaman he can earn £56,000 per week for doing nothing | first=Daniel | last=Taylor | date=9 August 2000 | accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref> and in case he did not understand his position, the club also declined to give him a squad number for the forthcoming season.<ref name="forbes.com">{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/2001/04/10/mcmanaman.html | title=Steve McManaman | work=Forbes | date=10 April 2001 | first=Davide | last=Dukcevich}}</ref> With the club already in debt, and having just spent another £37 million on Figo, the board were keen to cash in on McManaman and remove his $4.5 million salary from the wage bill.<ref name="forbes.com"/> McManaman, however, with an iron-clad contract until 2004, declined to leave and instead stated his determination to win back his place in the team.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/>
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| − | Real Madrid subsequently accepted first an [[Pound sterling|£]]11 million bid from [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] and then a £12 million bid for McManaman from [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]<ref>{{cite news|author=Chris Taylor |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/aug/25/newsstory.sport2 |title=McManaman in Chelsea talks | Football |work=The Guardian |date= 25 August 2000|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> that included the exchange of [[Tore André Flo]], in the summer of 2000, both of which the player rejected. A [[Sky Sports]] report in August 2000 also stated that eight other clubs were racing for his signature at the time, including Manchester United, [[Parma Calcio 1913|Parma]] and [[ACF Fiorentina|Fiorentina]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,,11667_2189740,00+en-USS_01DBC.html |title=Eight in for McManaman | Manchester United News, Fixtures, Results, Transfers |work=Sky Sports |date=7 December 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> but McManaman remained adamant even as Sir Alex Ferguson also declared his admiration for McManaman by arranging a contingent to convince him to sign<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies |first=Christopher |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/4766777/United-join-chase-for-McManaman.html |title=United join chase for McManaman |work=The Telegraph |date=15 August 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> but McManaman said he wanted to succeed in Spain. His stance was rewarded when Real relented after a Spanish poll in ''[[El Mundo (Spain)|El Mundo]]'' showed 90% of the fans demanded the club keep McManaman, while [[Míchel Salgado]] complained to the management about the way McManaman was treated after McManaman turned down yet again, another transfer attempt, this time to [[S.S. Lazio|Lazio]], who came in with an £8 million offer.<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Lazio+ready+to+pay+%5Bpounds+sterling%5D8m+for+Macca-a0109601191</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.com/europe/news/2000/0903/20000903laziomacca.html|title=McManaman looks to Lazio escape route|first=Bob|last=Cass|publisher=ESPN FC|date=3 September 2000|accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref> Real's change toward McManaman began when Del Bosque gave him his first appearance of the 2000–01 season as a substitute in a 3–3 draw against [[Málaga CF|Málaga]] in September.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/4771602/European-Round-up-McManaman-back-in-Real-favour.html | work=The Daily Telegraph | location=London | title=European Round-up: McManaman back in Real favour | first=Ben | last=Findon | date=18 September 2000 | accessdate=24 May 2010}}</ref> McManaman reportedly won over the manager by October, and managed to feature in two thirds of the club's matches, becoming a first team regular for the second half of the campaign, and held the unique distinction of being described as the only top class football player from England playing overseas at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/printarticle.php?id=3638|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090707004638/http://www.prospect-magazine.co.uk/printarticle.php?id=3638|archivedate=7 July 2009|first=Simon|last=Kuper|title=European goal|publisher=''Prospect Magazine''|date=July 2000|accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref> McManaman shone in this second season at Madrid as his club side challenged for the La Liga title and Champions League; they lost in the semi-finals to Bayern Munich, but won their 28th La Liga crown by a seven-point margin over the previous season's champions, [[Deportivo de La Coruña]].<ref name="wright">{{cite web | title=Englishmen Abroad: Steve McManaman | author=Wright, James | publisher=[[The Football Association]] | url=http://www.thefa.com/Features/EnglishDomestic/Postings/2003/07/56755.htm | archive-url=https://archive.is/20040530101314/http://www.thefa.com/Features/EnglishDomestic/Postings/2003/07/56755.htm | dead-url=yes | archivedate=30 May 2004 | date=14 July 2003 | accessdate=7 March 2008}}</ref>
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| − | ====''Galácticos'' policy====
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| − | McManaman increasingly saw his playing time reduced each year, as the club initiated their now well known ''[[Galáctico]]'' policy, with world class names like Luís Figo, [[Zinedine Zidane]], and [[Ronaldo (Brazilian footballer)|Ronaldo]] arriving each year and standing above him in the pecking order. At the time, however, McManaman was known for his dogged determination to stay positive for the club's cause, even if it meant he had less playing time. In 2002, McManaman also turned down a transfer to [[Inter Milan|Internazionale]] at the time when he was made available for exchange as part of Ronaldo's signing.<ref>{{cite news|last=Davies |first=Christopher |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/3033838/McManaman-has-no-interest-in-Inter-move.html |title=McManaman has no interest in Inter move |work=The Telegraph |date=3 September 2002 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> It was widely reported in the Spanish media that McManaman's resilience to the team won the respect of his fellow professionals like Raúl, Zidane, [[Guti (footballer)|Guti]], Iván Helguera and his two best friends and [[golf]] buddies at the club, Figo and Ronaldo,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/167/article.aspx |title=Ronaldo – One-On-One – Interviews |work=FourFourTwo |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> who backed him publicly on several occasions in press interviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-1080117-figo-dont-forget-about-macca-sven.do |title=Figo: Don't forget about Macca, Sven | Sport |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011 }}{{dead link|date=May 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> McManaman was also twice voted as the Real Madrid supporters' favourite player at the club during his tenure,<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/McManaman's+Real+dream+is+a+meeting+with+old+rivals.-a0109641289</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+Life+in+the+Real+world%3B+STEVE+McMANAMAN+EXCLUSIVE%3A+WHAT...-a0103298297 |title=Football: Life In The Real World; Steve Mcmanaman Exclusive: What Becks Will Face At World'S Biggest Club Macca: It'S Sink Or Swim, With No Second Chances .. But If You Win In |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> who adored him for his workrate,<ref>{{cite news|author=Jamie Redknapp |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1296081/Jamie-Redknapp-Joe-Cole-right-choose-Liverpool-Tottenham-Arsenal.html |title=Jamie Redknapp: Joe Cole was right to choose Liverpool over Tottenham and Arsenal | Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=20 July 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> and where the Spanish media would rave about him regarding anything from his love of the [[Madrid]] lifestyle, his willingness to learn the language and immerse into their culture,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/otros-fichajes-coste-cero/dasftb/20100802dasdaiftb_17/Tes |title=Otros fichajes a coste cero – Liga BBVA | Real Madrid |publisher=AS.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> to his home in La Moraleja, or even his [[androgynous]] [[wikt:resemblance|resemblance]] to [[Hollywood]] actress [[Nicole Kidman]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deportes.orange.es/fotos/parecidos-razonables-de-futbolistas/steve-mcmanaman-nicole-kidman.shtml |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314095022/http://deportes.orange.es/fotos/parecidos-razonables-de-futbolistas/steve-mcmanaman-nicole-kidman.shtml |archivedate=14 March 2012 |title=Steve McManaman-Nicole Kidman – Parecidos razonables de futbolistas. Galería de fotos en Deportes Orange |publisher=Deportes.orange.es |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/funny_old_game/1225169.stm |title=BBC Sport | Funny Old Game | Robbo's red nose day |work=BBC News |date=16 March 2001 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> all of which, curiously resulted in bolstering his "affable and amiable" image as the darling of the team at that time. According to ''[[El País]]'', in 2001, fans saluted him with their 'white handkerchiefs' (as a terrace favourite) after he acrobatically scored a 'wonder goal' (an incredible long-range high volley) against [[Real Oviedo]] that year.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2001/01/14/spain_rdp/ |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102205637/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/2001/01/14/spain_rdp/ |archivedate=2 November 2012 |title=CNNSI.com - Soccer - Real Madrid trounces Oviedo 4-0, tops table - Sunday January 14, 2001 06:59 PM |work=Sports Illustrated|date=14 January 2001 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman also forced himself to reinvent his game, and transform himself with a versatility that enabled him to play utility roles in the side, thus helping him shake off a derogatory nickname he was initially given by the Spanish press, "El Cartero" ("the postman"), the implication being that though he could dribble long distances, he seemed to collect the ball and deliver it who knows where, in the manner of the Spanish postal service.<ref>url="http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/postman-mcmanaman-delivers-on-real-promise-26028352.html#sthash.tApSOLQu.dpuf"</ref> It was widely regarded as a credit to McManaman that he managed to constantly reinvent himself to be effective and useful in a squad that was widely regarded at the time as the "best team in the world" under the ''Galácticos'' policy.
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| − | Yet the policy had its detractors, and according to certain critics in the Spanish press, McManaman and several other players became "victims" as the policy was based more on marketing and revenue generation, and sometimes meant players were picked not according to form, but because of their money-making potential off the pitch. To his credit, McManaman never spoke ill of the ''Galáctico'' policy's effects on him during his tenure, only critiquing the policy and ultimately describing it in his [[autobiography]] ''El Macca'' (a book that was shortlisted as the [[William Hill Sports Book of the Year]]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/MY+AGONY+AT+MUM'S+DEATH+BY+EL+MACCA%3B+Ex-Kop+idol+Steve+back+in+town...-a0122458244|title=My Agony at Mum's Death By El Macca; Ex-Kop idol Steve back in town for new book|work=thefreelibrary.com}}</ref> in 2004 as the "[[The Walt Disney Company|Disneyfication]] of Real Madrid" upon his departure from the club; a piece of foresight that proved telling for the future as the club never reached its heights in the period ensuing with the policy, and with the term becoming somewhat pejorative to this day.
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| − | ====Second Champions League====
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| − | Eventually, the Board, including Florentino Pérez, relented, declaring that a "man like that would always have a place in my club", adding that "McManaman is in now in the team because his behaviour has been in accordance with the true values of the club".<ref>url="http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/jan/28real.htm"</ref> [[Johan Cruyff]], meanwhile, described McManaman at the time as the most useful player in the ''Galácticos'' because he was "everyone's best partner on the pitch".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/sid_lowe/12/28/realmadrid.alltimeXI/index.html |title=Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane lead Real Madrid's Team of Decade – Sid Lowe – SI.com |work=Sports Illustrated|date= 30 December 2010|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> A further honour was also extended on the pitch by the club in the [[2001–02 Real Madrid C.F. season|2001–02 season]], whereas part of Madrid's Centenary Celebrations, McManaman was made the first Englishman to captain Real Madrid in a game against a [[FIFA]] World XI, to the applause of the [[ultras]], with whom he was a cult favourite.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+MACCA+GIVEN+REAL+HONOUR%3B+Real+Madrid+3+Rest+of+the+World...-a095589759 |title=Football: Macca Given Real Honour; Real Madrid 3 Rest of the World 3 |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=19 December 2002 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Arguably his second greatest moment in the white of Madrid also took place that year, in the 2002 UEFA Champions League semi-final against Barcelona at the [[Camp Nou]] on 23 April 2002. In this match of monumental proportions, due to ''[[El Clásico]]'' being a massive game in its own right, but also the fact that it was a Champions League semi-final, McManaman appeared as a second-half substitute to score a critical goal in second half injury time to secure a 2–0 first-leg advantage, chipping over goalkeeper [[Roberto Bonano]] after being played in by [[Flávio Conceição]], after Zidane had scored the first goal on 55 minutes. This notable victory, Real's first at the Camp Nou since 1993, helped secure their place in the final of the 2002 Champions League at [[Hampden Park]], [[Glasgow]], where he came on as a replacement for Figo – and thereby ensuring his second Champions League winners' medal, after Madrid secured a 2–1 victory over German team [[Bayer 04 Leverkusen|Bayer Leverkusen]].<ref name="wright" />
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| − | ====Final season====
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| − | McManaman was used as a late substitute for games at the start of the campaign and after scoring a goal and assisting in several of new signing Ronaldo's goals,{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} he was given surprise starts. In one of his starts, he scored a brace against [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]] in the Champions League. McManaman also started in a famous game in 2003, where Madrid were beaten 4–3 at [[Old Trafford]] against Manchester United in the Champions' League, even as Ronaldo hit a hat-trick.<ref>{{cite news|last=Wallace |first=Sam |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400232/McManaman-has-the-last-laugh.html |title=McManaman has the last laugh |work=The Telegraph |date=24 April 2003 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Nonetheless, after only playing 21 games of which he started only nine times, and making a meagre 15 appearances in La Liga, questions constantly arose throughout the season about McManaman's ability and reasons for staying in Spain considering his diminished role, lack of first team action and international attention. Suggestions that McManaman had "sold out" for money and had grown indifferent and lackadaisical to his football were rampant in the British Press, though the media were also described as suffering from "a selective media amnesia over McManaman's time in Spain".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/2350/29/ |title=When Saturday Comes – The Half Decent Football Magazine – Return of the Mac |publisher=Wsc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Nonetheless, McManaman managed to pick up a second La Liga medal for the year, and was in the squad that won the [[Intercontinental Cup (football)|Intercontinental Cup]] in Japan.
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| − | At the start of the [[2003–04 Real Madrid C.F. season|2003–04 pre-season]], the signing of fellow Englishman David Beckham proved the last straw in eventually forcing McManaman down the pecking order at Real Madrid. McManaman remained with the club for its full pre-season, even after coach Vicente del Bosque was given a shock sacking 24 hours after having won the club's last La liga title,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/players-and-fans-shocked-by-del-bosque-sacking-541795.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922124201/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/players-and-fans-shocked-by-del-bosque-sacking-541795.html |archivedate=22 September 2010 |title=Players and fans shocked by Del Bosque sacking |work=The Independent |date=25 June 2003 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> but in the close season, and the arrival of [[Carlos Queiroz]] as new coach, McManaman was released by the club after helping Beckham settle in with the language and despite Beckham's pleas to the management for McManaman to remain.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/163948/Becks-begs-Mac-to-stay.html |title=Becks begs Mac to stay |work=The Sun |date=17 July 2003 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | ====Legacy at Madrid====
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| − | Having won eight trophies and having played in 11 cup finals in four years as well as constantly making the semi-finals of the Champions League in each of his four years at the club, McManaman became the most successful English football export to ever play overseas (not just in Spain) in terms of trophies. In addition to honours, according to ''[[Forbes]]'' magazine in 2001, McManaman was listed as sixth on the list of the highest earning footballers in the world,<ref>{{cite news|author=Davide Dukcevich, 04.10.01, 1:00 AM ET |url=https://www.forbes.com/2001/04/10/mcmanaman.html |title=Forbes Football's Rich List 2001 |publisher=Forbes.com |date= 10 April 2001|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> and is believed to have pocketed anywhere between an estimated €15 million (just under £10,250,000) to £14 million in his four years with Madrid.<ref>url="http://www.lfchistory.net/Articles/Article/176"</ref>
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| − | In a tribute to McManaman, four years after he left the club, ex-coach Vicente del Bosque told Spanish newspaper ''[[Marca (newspaper)|AS Marca]]'', that McManaman and [[Geremi Njitap|Geremi]] were the two most important players in his squad, because "together they kept the whole team united".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.as.com/futbol/articulo/bosque-geremi-mcmanaman-hacian-equipo/20070328dasdaiftb_54/Tes |title=Del Bosque: "Geremi y McManaman hacían equipo" |publisher=AS.com |date=28 March 2007 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Del Bosque added, "I was very happy with Macca. He was a ''caballero'', a gentleman, a stupendous guy; he always had a smile, he never complained, he was great, a leader. He related to everyone very well; he united people. He had a bad time [towards the end] with [[achilles]] pain, but every day he trained with the same attitude. He was exemplary ... and a good footballer too, very good. A fantastic player in every sense."<ref>https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/nov/10/vicente-del-bosque-spain-english-football-style-ronaldo-messi</ref>
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| − | McManaman is also listed as a club legend on the official Real Madrid website, with his legacy being that of being fondly remembered as "The versatile Englishman", and described as one who "in only four seasons, won the hearts of Madrid's followers. The mixture of his gentlemanly nature both on and off the pitch, combined with teamwork and quality made sure that this Englishman was one of the most loved players by the fans...McManaman's natural position was on the right, but during his time at Real Madrid he played in every midfield position. His ability to change position made him a very versatile player."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football-legends/steven--mcmanaman|title=McManaman – Real Madrid CF|work=Real Madrid C.F. – Web Oficial}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman also paved the way and influenced other British players to join Madrid in the ensuing years, with players such as Michael Owen saying they asked him for advice before signing with Madrid,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/michael-owen/10263747/Michael-Owen-Real-Madrid-was-a-horror-story-for-me-off-the-pitch-but-Gareth-Bale-will-flourish-if-he-feels-at-home.html|title=Michael Owen: Real Madrid was a horror story for me off the pitch but Gareth Bale will flourish if he feels at home|date=24 August 2013|work=Telegraph.co.uk}}</ref> and later encouraged [[Gareth Bale]] to sign for Madrid a decade later,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2013/08/25/primera/1377426658_863051.html|title=McManaman: "Gareth Bale disfrutará, Madrid es maravillosa"|work=AS.com}}</ref> going so far as to even declare that Bale "needed the Madrid move" on Real's official [[Twitter]] account.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/SocialRMadrid/status/341144094862614528|title=SocialRMadrid|work=Twitter}}</ref> When Bale signed, McManaman gave Bale advice on how to succeed at Madrid.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2401630/Steve-McManaman-backs-Gareth-Bale-succeed-Real-Madrid.html|title=Steve McManaman backs Gareth Bale to succeed at Real Madrid – Daily Mail Online|work=Mail Online}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/gareth-bale-could-earn-25-2246560|title=Gareth Bale could earn £25 MILLION a year in total as Madrid falls in love with Wales star|author=Darren Lewis|date=2 September 2013|work=mirror}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/02/gareth-bale-real-madrid-bernabeu|title=Gareth Bale's nervous Real Madrid unveiling is worth the wait for fans|author=Sid Lowe|work=the Guardian}}</ref> Bale would later become the first player to emulate McManaman when he ended up winning the Champions League with Madrid in his first season, something McManaman was delighted with, and expected all along.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2648367/Steve-McManaman-praises-Gareth-Bale-incredible-season-Real-Madrid.html|title=Gareth Bale's 'incredible' first season at Real Madrid hailed by Steve McManaman – Daily Mail Online|work=Mail Online}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman was also listed in Spanish-based British sports reporter [[Sid Lowe]]'s Real Madrid Team of the Decade for the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.si.com/more-sports/2010/12/30/realmadrid-alltimexi|title=Sid Lowe: Real Madrid's Team of the Decade, 2000-2010|author=Sid Lowe|work=SI.com}}</ref>
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| − | ===Manchester City===
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| − | In 2003–04, along with teammates [[Claude Makélélé]], [[Fernando Hierro]] and later [[Fernando Morientes]], McManaman headed back to the [[Premier League]]. Initially reported to be joining [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abc.gov.au/news/stories/2003/07/18/904860.htm |title=Garcia lets McManaman's Arsenal secret out – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) |publisher=Abc.gov.au |date=18 July 2003 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> or [[Everton F.C.|Everton]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/moyes-hopes-to-bring-mcmanaman-home-537312.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090909100823/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/moyes-hopes-to-bring-mcmanaman-home-537312.html |archivedate=9 September 2009 |title=Moyes hopes to bring McManaman home |work=The Independent |date=28 August 2003 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman eventually decided to join long-time admirer [[Kevin Keegan]] on 30 August at [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], resulting in a reunion with several ex-colleagues including [[Robbie Fowler]], Nicolas Anelka, and later, [[David James (footballer)|David James]], prompting the media to state that Keegan was "reuniting the Spice Boys".<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/3193141.stm | title=McManaman joins Man City | work=BBC Sport | date=30 August 2003 | accessdate=7 March 2008}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman made his debut on 14 September 2003 in a 4–1 win over Aston Villa at the [[City of Manchester Stadium]], and quickly showed good early form,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/article118004.ece |title=Man City 0 Spurs 0 |work=The Sun |date=29 September 2003 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> with the club starting with a run of wins<ref name="search.japantimes.co.jp">{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2003/10/03/soccer/england-could-use-experience-skill-of-mcmanaman-in-lineup/ |title=England could use experience, skill of McManaman in lineup |work=The Japan Times Online |date=3 October 2003 |accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref> and progressing in the UEFA Cup,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article994935.ece |archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160519225953/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_city/article994935.ece |dead-url=yes |archivedate=19 May 2016 |accessdate=21 July 2010 }}</ref> with McManaman hailed by Keegan to great hype, but by [[Christmas]] that year, results had fallen, the team languished<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Bailey |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keegan-throws-down-the-gauntlet-1116223 |title=Keegan throws down the gauntlet |work=Manchester Evening News |date=22 July 2004 |accessdate=12 July 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714141808/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/keegan-throws-down-the-gauntlet-1116223 |archivedate=14 July 2014 |df= }}</ref> and ended the season, well out of European contention, and McManaman injured again. By 2004–05, McManaman's time at City was ultimately deemed a disappointment and he was increasingly vilified by City fans,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/g2/story/0,,1308935,00.html | work=The Guardian | title=Spice Boy grows up | date=21 September 2004 | accessdate=7 March 2008 | location=London | first=Stephen | last=Moss}}</ref> who later jeered him off the pitch following a draw with [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]].<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/City+release+may+be+end+of+the+line+for+McManaman.-a0124090360</ref> Fans also nicknamed him "McMoneyman" pejoratively in reference to old quibs about his reasons for leaving Liverpool, staying in Spain and picking City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/McMONEYMAN%3B+Steve+could+Kop+pounds+40,000+a+week.(Sport)-a061053860 |title=McMoneyman; Steve could Kop £40,000 a week |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | On the pitch, a combination of niggling injuries and the rise of an in-form and up-and-coming [[Shaun Wright-Phillips]] saw him lose his preferred right midfield position. When McManaman did play, he failed to rediscover his old form and speed, only occasionally demonstrating the ability he had shown in his earlier career.<ref>{{cite news|author=Stephen Moss |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/sep/21/sport.comment3 |title=Spice Boy grows up |work=The Guardian |date= 21 September 2004|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Part of the problem stemmed from the fact that in order to find a role at Madrid he had changed his playing style, cutting down on the flair play (as Madrid had a surfeit of flair players) and instead focusing on being a holding player and making short, simple passes of the ball in central midfield, where he was known for his one touch passing and ability to never give the ball away.<ref name="wright" /> Youngsters Wright-Phillips, [[Joey Barton]], [[Stephen Ireland]] and [[Lee Croft]] cited McManaman as a major motivating influence on them.<ref>{{cite web|author=Chris Bailey |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cup-heartbreak-for-croft-1131886 |title=Cup heartbreak for Croft |work=Manchester Evening News |date=9 December 2004 |accessdate=12 July 2014 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305170950/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cup-heartbreak-for-croft-1131886 |archivedate= 5 March 2014 |df= }}</ref> McManaman was criticised by Sir Alex Ferguson after an FA Cup [[Manchester derby]] at Old Trafford for "intimidating [[Gary Neville]]" to get him sent off in a [[headbutt]] incident in 2004, adding a derogatory comment that he had no idea what other role McManaman had in the game [and possibly for Manchester City].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-113287918.html|title=Football: Fergie Blasts 'Intimidating' McManaman|work=highbeam.com}}</ref>
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| − | Off the field at City, Fowler and McManaman were caught up in a [[sex scandal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.as.com/actualidad/articulo/escandalo-sexual-mcmanaman-fowler/dasftb/20031111dasdai_43/Tes | title=Fowler y McManaman Sex Scandal| publisher=[[Diario AS]] | date=30 August 2003 | accessdate=7 March 2004}}</ref> that appeared in the ''[[News of the World]]'' following a failed attempt by the pair to gain an injunction to prevent publication, costing them £50,000 in addition to making the case look like an invariable admission of guilt.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2003/dec/16/sport.comment1 | title=2003 and 'Roasting' Scandals in Football| work=The Guardian | date=30 December 2003 | accessdate=7 March 2004 | location=London | first=Germaine | last=Greer}}</ref> The court case came fast on the heels of football's "[[roasting]]" and [[rape]] allegations at [[Chelsea, London|Chelsea]] earlier that year<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-8785403-defeat-to-spurs-could-be-one-too-many-for-keegan.do |archive-url=https://archive.is/20120912135721/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-8785403-defeat-to-spurs-could-be-one-too-many-for-keegan.do |dead-url=yes |archivedate=12 September 2012 |title=Defeat to Spurs could be one too many for Keegan |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011 }}</ref> and served only to exacerbate their situations and affected their reputations off and on the pitch at the club, while an incident involving Fowler and McManaman and three other players deliberately missing the team bus at [[Leicester]] also did not go down well with the fans, manager and media.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-8630670-keegan-rage-at-citys-spice-boys.do |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130505114347/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-8630670-keegan-rage-at-citys-spice-boys.do |dead-url=yes |archivedate=5 May 2013 |title=Keegan rage at City's Spice Boys |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011 }}</ref>
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| − | In 2004, McManaman was linked to the [[MetroStars]], who confirmed that the club were interested in him. However they eventually decided to relinquish their bid stating that "[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] clubs were keen to lose the reputation that top stars only arrive to play in America for a final swansong in their careers".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://origin.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2293701,00.html |title=MetroStars give up on Macca |work=Sky Sports |date=23 June 2011 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman played for City for only two seasons and following Kevin Keegan's resignation in March 2005, never played another game for the club. Keegan's replacement, [[Stuart Pearce]], released McManaman on a free transfer on 20 May.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://origin.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11679_2335856,00.html |title=McManaman to leave City |publisher=Origin.skysports.com |date=23 June 2011 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | Though McManaman failed to score a single goal for City, his earlier successes enabled him to end his career across all his three clubs with a total of 560 appearances, scoring 80 goals,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mn2s.com/after-dinner-speakers/football/steve-mcmanaman/|title=Book Sporting and TV celebrities - Talent Agency - MN2S|work=mn2s.com}}</ref> and with 182 assists, 142 of those coming in his time at Liverpool.<ref>http://www.joe.ie/football/football-features/mighty-mac-steve-mcmanaman/"</ref>
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| − | ==International career==
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| − | For [[England national football team|England]], McManaman would forever remain an enigma at international level. England coaches, except for Venables and Keegan, utilised McManaman's talents sparingly. McManaman was capped 37 times for England scoring three goals, and with the side only losing three times in the games that he played;<ref name="thefa.com"/> two of them significant results: the infamous [[UEFA Euro 1996]] penalty shootout defeat to Germany at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] in 1996, and the opening day defeat against [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] at [[UEFA Euro 2000|Euro 2000]].
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| − | Euro 2000, held in the Netherlands and Belgium, was McManaman's last major tournament for England, despite backing from the press, fans and teammates, including Zinedine Zidane.<ref>{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Rupert|title=Macca: Left Side or Left Home?|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11835/2236098/macca-left-side-or-left-home|work=Sky Sports}}</ref>
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| − | ===England U21===
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| − | McManaman made history by becoming the first player without first team experience to play for the [[England national under-21 football team|England under-21]] team, being handed a debut call-up by [[Lawrie McMenemy]] against [[Wales national under-21 football team|Wales]] at [[Prenton Park|Tranmere]] in October 1990, two months before he debuted for the Liverpool first-team, famously quoting in the process that he had seen "more fat on a chip" in reference to McManaman's [[Underweight|skinny]] physique.<ref name="wing" /> In February 1993, McManaman captained the under-21 team for the first time against [[San Marino national under-21 football team|San Marino]] and scored the last goal in a convincing 6–0 win.
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| − | ===Terry Venables and Euro 96===
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| − | [[Terry Venables]] gave McManaman his full debut on 16 November 1994 in an international friendly with [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]] at [[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]], McManaman coming on as a replacement for Newcastle United's [[Rob Lee|Robert Lee]]. By 1995, McManaman was accused of struggling to repeat his fine club form with his country, drawing comparisons to his mentor at Liverpool, John Barnes. However, he managed to string together a series of splendid match winning performances for his country at Euro 96, earning praise from even [[Pelé]], who according to the [[BBC]] touted him as the tournament's best player and said he was the player he "was most impressed" by<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/england/781303.stm | title=Pele Backs England for Glory | publisher=BBC | date=7 June 2000}}</ref> going on to say that he was "one of the best players in Europe" and could be the "best in the world",<ref name="thefa.com">[http://www.thefa.com/England/SeniorTeam/Archive/?&i=4811&t=m&t=pf ]{{dead link|date=July 2011}}</ref> tags that McManaman later admitted that he could not live up to. Together with teammates [[David Seaman]] and [[Alan Shearer]], McManaman was also listed in the official Team of the Tournament, as well as shortlisted behind eventual winner, [[Jürgen Klinsmann]], for the Most Valuable Player award.<ref>{{cite news|author=Rob Smyth |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/jul/04/1 |title=On Second Thoughts: Rob Smyth says Euro 96 wasn't how it is usually remembered |publisher=guardian.co.uk |date= 4 July 2007|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | ===Glenn Hoddle and World Cup 98===
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| − | McManaman, however, failed to win over new England coach Glenn Hoddle despite being in excellent club form in the years Hoddle was in charge,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-why-hoddle-cannot-turn-a-blind-eye-to-mcmanaman-1241856.html |title=Football: Why Hoddle cannot turn a blind eye to McManaman |work=The Independent |date=29 September 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Glenn |last=Moore}}</ref> raising questions about either his effort, his attitude, or his relationship with the manager, with some sections of the British press even lobbying Hoddle to pick McManaman. Hoddle stated in interviews that he wanted McManaman to take up the licence to be the bridge between David Beckham and Paul Gascoigne,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-an-invitation-for-mcmanaman-1260892.html |title=Football: An invitation for McManaman |work=The Independent |date=11 May 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Norman |last=Fox}}</ref> and often spoke highly of McManaman's ability, but noted that McManaman's best position was "floating" dangerously and it was hard to fit him into a system to suit the team<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/mcmanaman-a-dangerous-floater-1276392.html |title=McManaman a dangerous floater |work=The Independent |date=2 February 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Ian |last=Ridley}}</ref> and so he often selected [[Paul Merson]] and the rising Beckham instead. When McManaman (and Fowler) opted out of [[Le Tournoi]] in 1997 to choose to undergo non-urgent medical operations ahead of international duty, it was noted that this reportedly lost them their team spots as Hoddle though angered at losing them, found a winning team in their absence, and this made it even harder for McManaman to regain his place later.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-hoddle-happy-to-call-up-victimised-wright-1248075.html |title=Football: Hoddle happy to call up 'victimised' Wright |work=The Independent |date=30 August 1997 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Glenn |last=Moore}}</ref> McManaman made a total of four appearances under Hoddle,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-must-destroy-the-myth-1152186.html |title=Football: McManaman must destroy the myth |work=The Independent |date=24 March 1998 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Glenn |last=Moore}}</ref> and only one appearance at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]] against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]], as a substitute for [[Paul Scholes]].
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| − | When interviewed by ''[[FourFourTwo]]'' magazine, McManaman stated, "I think I probably least enjoyed my time when Glenn Hoddle was the manager. But I wouldn't say he was necessarily the worst. He had his ways of training and ways of acting and all managers have different ways of doing things; it's the same with club managers. Sometimes when you join up with England and you don't play as often as you did under a certain other manager – then you'll think it's terrible. I loved going to play with England. For instance, I did get to go to the World Cup even though I only played for 17 minutes. That kind of experience leaves an indelible mark on your mind. So I don't really think of it in terms of "worst"; but going to the World Cup and not playing much was a big thing for me, really, and that was under Glenn, of course."<ref name="fourfourtwo.com">{{cite web|url=http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/one-on-one/341/article.aspx |title=Steve McManaman – One-On-One – Interviews |work=FourFourTwo |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Hoddle also notably arranged for McManaman to meet a disabled fan (and thus fulfill his lifelong wish of meeting McManaman) while the fan was on the verge of death, in 1997, to great media acclaim,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hoddle's+a+hero..he+gave+my+dying+son+Ryan+the+happiest+day+of+his...-a060393926 |title=Hoddle's a hero..he gave my dying son Ryan the happiest day of his life |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> though the story only broke a year after Hoddle had been sacked from the England job for alleged disparaging comments about disabled people.
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| − | ===Kevin Keegan and Euro 2000===
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| − | Kevin Keegan quickly reinstated McManaman to the England [[starting lineup]] after coming on the job. John Barnes spoke about McManaman in his autobiography in 1999 as "probably the greatest individual talent in English football and has to be presented the correct way",<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/oct/10/newsstory.sport14 |title=John Barnes's karma kicks in: 'Wrong to sack Hoddle' | work=The Observer |date= 10 October 1999|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> and Keegan gave several interviews in 1999 backing up that point; adding that he was finding out how best to utilise McManaman. Keegan eventually decided on deploying McManaman on the left wing on several occasions in 1999<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-free-to-prove-point-1090196.html |title=Football: McManaman free to prove point |work=The Independent |date=28 April 1999 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Glenn |last=Moore}}</ref> and under Keegan, McManaman finally broke his international goal scoring duck when he scored twice on 4 September 1999 in the 6–0 Euro 2000 qualifier victory over [[Luxembourg national football team|Luxembourg]], again, at Wembley. Keegan took McManaman's new career at Madrid to reinstate his confidence in him, and handed him a coveted free role ahead of Euro 2000,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/england/787372.stm |title=McManaman given free role |work=BBC Sport |date=12 June 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> stating that "in the past we compromised him ... but [following McManaman's UEFA Champions League success], we said 'we'll fit in with you, you've earned that chance'<ref>{{cite web|last=Lappin |first=Tom |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/top-stories/McManaman-keeps-feet-on-the.2233952.jp |title=McManaman keeps feet on the ground – Scotsman.com Sport |publisher=Sport.scotsman.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/columnists/article-231020/Macca-plays-waiting-game.html |title=Macca plays a waiting game |work=Daily Mail|date=26 May 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |first=Jeff |last=Powell}}</ref> McManaman played only once in Euro 2000, where he scored the last of his three England goals in a famous opening game against Portugal, where McManaman put England 2–0 ahead, only for it to end because McManaman got injured after scoring, forcing a tactical switch.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/788135.stm |title=England crushed in five-goal classic |work=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2000 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman never played for Keegan again as Keegan left the England job two months later in October 2000.
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| − | ===Post-2001 omission===
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| − | The last of McManaman's caps came in 2001 when [[Sven-Göran Eriksson]] utilised him for his first games in the [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002 World Cup]] qualifiers, including a game back at Anfield against Finland – where McManaman set up David Beckham's winner<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/3001668/Clockwatch-England-v.-Finland.html |title=Clockwatch: England v. Finland |work=The Telegraph |date=24 March 2001 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>– but then apparently left a message on McManaman's [[answering machine]] to inform him that he was not going to be in the final World Cup squad in early 2002.<ref>{{cite news|last=Edworthy |first=Sarah |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/3027320/England-need-McManaman-for-world-stage.html |title=England need McManaman for world stage |work=The Telegraph |date=7 May 2002 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Despite the pleas of McManaman's Real Madrid team mates Zidane<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/sports/2002/apr/26wc2.htm |title=sports: Eriksson must select McManaman, says Zidane |publisher=Rediff.com |date=26 April 2002 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> and Fernando Hierro for McManaman's case, McManaman said he never ever heard from or met Eriksson again. Zidane went on to state England had made a mistake, and described McManaman with a rare passion as one of the highest quality players he ever played with: "I was surprised when McManaman was left out of the last England squad. I couldn't believe they would ignore a player of his quality. Now people are talking about the fact that maybe he will get his chance because David Beckham is injured. But McManaman is far better than just being a replacement for Beckham. McManaman should be in the starting line-up anyway."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+THIS+IS+A+REAL+MISTAKE%3B+Zidane+says+England+are+wrong+to...-a085081015 |title=Football: This is a Real Mistake; Zidane says England are wrong to ignore McManaman |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> Support for McManaman also came before the 2002 World Cup in the British media, after Sky Sports published an article based on [[OPTA]] statistics, revealing that despite a poor goalscoring record, McManaman had in fact an 88% dribbling completion rate (having embarked on a run every 17 minutes), and an 84% pass completion rate, all three of which were higher by over 15% than any English midfield Premiership player at the time.<ref>{{cite web|last=Webster|first=Rupert|title=Is Macca Good Enough for England?|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/2204555/is-macca-good-enough-for-england|work=Sky Sports}}</ref>
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| − | By late 2001, however, after coming on as a substitute when England beat [[Germany national football team|Germany]] [[Germany 1–5 England (2001)|5–1]] in the [[Olympiastadion (Munich)|Olympiastadion]], McManaman put in a poor{{According to whom|date=October 2016}} display against [[Albania national football team|Albania]] that saw him banished from Eriksson's team,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=276173&root=england&cc=3436 | title=Return of the Macca | publisher=[[ESPN]] | work=[[Soccernet]] | date=4 September 2003}}</ref> as that was his final game; making just one substitute appearance after that in the critical qualifier against [[Greece national football team|Greece]] in 2001. Later that year, he did himself no favours by "choosing not to play" in the game against [[Sweden national football team|Sweden]] by calling [[The Football Association|the FA]] to have himself dropped from the squad,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/low/football/1640672.stm |title=McManaman 'chose not to play' |work=BBC News |date=6 November 2001 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> before assistant coach at the time, [[Tord Grip]] "put the knife" in his international career when he said "McManaman has never played well for England".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Football%3A+GRIP+GIVES+MAC+THE+KNIFE%3B+'Steve+has+never+played+well+for...-a094802532 |title=Football: Grip Gives Mac the Knife; 'Steve has never played well for England and I don't see him getting into Sven's squad' |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> and following that, McManaman was not selected for another England squad.
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| − | ===Critics' and fans' analysis===
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| − | McManaman was once described as "England's forgotten man"<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/119838.stm | title=McManaman is 'Forgotten Man' | publisher=BBC | work=[[BBC]] | date=25 June 1998}}</ref> but was also accused of being apathetic and having a laidback attitude and having a reputation for being a troublemaker, which began after an infamous "dentists' chair" incident before Euro '96,<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/TOUR+OF+SHAME.-a0135187819</ref> where along with [[Teddy Sheringham]] and Gascoigne, McManaman was photographed drinking and accused of causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to a [[Cathay Pacific]] first class [[flight]] [[Aircraft cabin|cabin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.macaudailytimesnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17161 |title=www.macaudailytimesnews.com |publisher=www.macaudailytimesnews.com |date=8 April 2011 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman's reputation was also not aided by the fact that he was also known for being a serial [[prank]]ster with Fowler,<ref>{{cite news|author=Sarah Edworthy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/sep/04/features.sport |title=Don't look back in anger | work=The Observer |date= 4 September 2005|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> which did nothing to help new coaches' negative opinions about him,<ref>{{cite web|last=Daly |first=Carter |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/soccer-carter-daly/gerrard-looks-back-international-debut-toothpaste-hazing--soccer.html |title=Gerrard looks back on international debut, toothpaste hazing – Dirty Tackle – World Soccer Blog – Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Sports.yahoo.com |date= |accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref> with the Spice Boys' image also making it worse, although, colleague [[Gareth Southgate]] did say McManaman and Fowler's antics though "silly", helped foster [[team spirit]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/192481/Gareth-Southgate-calls-for-real-pride-in-Lions |title=Gareth Southgate calls for real pride in Lions |publisher=Express.co.uk |date=11 August 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> In 2004, certain journalists even called for McManaman to be included in the [[UEFA Euro 2004|Euro 2004]] squad, arguing that McManaman's experience would have been worth his inclusion in the side alone,<ref name="search.japantimes.co.jp"/> but to no avail as McManaman himself decided to retire shortly after.
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| − | ==Style of play==
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| − | A hard-working, versatile and technically gifted player, McManaman was usually deployed as a [[Midfielder#Winger|winger]], or occasionally as a [[Midfielder#Central midfielder|central]] [[midfielder]]; his preferred position, however, was that of a more offensive and creative [[Midfielder#Attacking midfielder|attacking midfielder]], an uncommon position in the Premier League throughout his career. McManaman was a quick, strong, creative, and energetic player, with good [[Dribbling#Association football|dribbling]] ability, as well as accurate passing and [[Cross (football)|crossing]] ability with either foot, which allowed him to create chances and provide assists for teammates as a [[playmaker]]. He was often criticised, however, for his inability to score many goals, although he would later improve upon this element of his game during his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-mcmanaman-changes-perceptions-1277870.html|title=Football: McManaman changes perceptions|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.footballislife.co.uk/football/la-liga-legends-steve-mcmanaman|title=La Liga Legends – Steve McManaman|accessdate=18 December 2014}}</ref>
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| − | ==Post playing career==
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| − | McManaman retired from his playing career after being released by Manchester City in 2005.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4565335.stm | title=Manchester City let McManaman go | publisher=[[BBC Sport]] | date=20 May 2005}}</ref> In early 2006, McManaman nearly came out of retirement to sign for the [[Hong Kong Rangers]], a club owned by an admirer of his football, [[Carson Yeung]], but the deal fell through due to McManaman's recurrent injuries which scuppered his fitness test.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6171473.stm |title=BBC Sport | Football | McManaman rules out making return |work=BBC News |date=12 December 2006 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | ===Film and charity appearances; UEFA Ambassador===
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| − | In October 2006, McManaman played in a charity match for Liverpool Legends against Celtic Legends.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/5408364.stm |title=BBC Sport | Football | My Club | Celtic | Celtic legends draw charity game |work=BBC News |date=4 October 2006 |accessdate=16 August 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In late 2006, McManaman joined production for the film, ''[[Goal II: Living the Dream]]'', the sequel to ''[[Goal! (film)|Goal!]]''. By the time of release in 2007, McManaman had also become an [[associate producer]] of the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indielondon.co.uk/Film-Review/goal-2-living-the-dream-steve-mcmanaman-interview |title=Goal! 2: Living The Dream – Steve McManaman interview – Your London Reviews |publisher=IndieLondon |date= |accessdate=16 August 2011}}</ref> and appears in the film as one of the coaching staff for [[Kuno Becker]]'s lead character. McManaman was also active in promoting the film with star [[Anna Friel]] at its premiere.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities-news-in-pics/06-02-2007/43765/ |title=Anna and Steve promote Goal II | Latest celebrity news |publisher=Hellomagazine.com |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In June 2008, McManaman participated in [[Steve Nash]] and [[Claudio Reyna]]'s [[Showdown in Chinatown]], an 8-on-8 charity soccer game at [[Sara D. Roosevelt Park]]. Nash scored two goals in his team's 8–5 victory, which included McManaman scoring one goal and making five of the goals in a team including Thierry Henry, Robbie Fowler, [[Jason Kidd]], [[Baron Davis]], and [[Phoenix Suns]] teammates [[Raja Bell]] and [[Leandro Barbosa]].<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3458050 Nash, soccer star Henry among players in charity soccer match], sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved 26 June 2008.</ref>
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| − | In 2010, McManaman became an ambassador for [[UEFA]] alongside [[Christian Karembeu]] in its Champions League Trophy World Tour, as well as at the Madrid Festival leading up to the [[2010 UEFA Champions League Final|2010 Champions League final]] at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/newsid=1467122.html?autoplay=true |title=Champions Festival – |publisher=Uefa.com |date=28 April 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> McManaman, has also been taking part in several "legends" squads for testimonial matches and fundraisers, most notably, at domestic level with the likes of ex-Liverpool players, but also for the European Association of Former Players (EFPA) along with a host of retired stars like [[Hristo Stoichkov]], [[Enzo Scifo]] and [[Lothar Matthaus]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efpafootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63Itemid=44 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308053953/http://www.efpafootball.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63Itemid%3D44 |archivedate= 8 March 2012 |title=EFPA – European Former Football Players Associations – EFPA Players |publisher=Efpafootball.com |date=1 May 2006 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |df= }}</ref> In May 2010, McManaman played for the Real Madrid Veteranos against [[A.C. Milan|Milan]]'s ''Glorie'' team for [[Charitable organization|charity]] known as the Corazon Classic, in front of a crowd of 80,000 at the Santiago Bernabéu, and in an all-star game featuring [[Emilio Butragueño]], Luís Figo, Zinedine Zidane, [[Chendo]], [[Alfonso Pérez|Alfonso]], [[Paolo Maldini]], [[Cafu]], [[Rui Costa]] and other world class football stars to a great reception.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIk0ASsbFcs |title=Real Madrid Veteranos 4-3 Milan Glorie 05 30 2010 Zidane and Maldini |publisher=YouTube |date=25 January 2010 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | In 2011, McManaman joined a number of former star players including [[Diego Maradona]] and former teammates Luís Figo and Robbie Fowler in a select World XI to play against [[Chechnya|Chechen]] President [[Ramzan Kadyrov]] and his select XI in a match to mark the opening of the new national stadium in the [[Second Chechen War|war torn nation's]] capital of [[Grozny]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Matt Fortune |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1386287/Diego-Maradona-Robbie-Fowler-Luis-Figo-play-war-torn-Chechnya.html |title=Diego Maradona, Robbie Fowler, Luis Figo and others play in once war-torn Chechnya | Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=12 May 2011 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> The match drew criticism from some commentators and human rights groups due to Kadyrov's alleged [[human rights]] abuses.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/05/12/maradona-vs-kadyrov-a-football-match-to-make-the-soul-vomit/ |title=Maradona vs Kadyrov: A football match to make the soul vomit | Musa Okwonga | Independent Notebook Blogs |publisher=Blogs.independent.co.uk |date=12 May 2011 |accessdate=6 July 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717014328/http://blogs.independent.co.uk/2011/05/12/maradona-vs-kadyrov-a-football-match-to-make-the-soul-vomit/ |archivedate=17 July 2011 |df= }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ronay |first=Barney |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2011/may/14/barney-ronay-football-chechnya |title=It's time to admit football is pure evil | Barney Ronay | Football |work=The Guardian |date=14 May 2011 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | McManaman commented "This is not a piece of propaganda for us ... We are not here politically. We are just here to play football."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13374240 | work=BBC News | title=Chechnya All Stars help launch stadium | date=12 May 2011}}</ref> In December 2011, McManaman was also invited to be a part of the [[United Nations Development Programme]] Football Squad by ex-teammates Zidane and Ronaldo (ambassadors of the UNDP), to take part in a series of friendly matches to raise funds known as [[Match Against Poverty]].<ref>url="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2073838/Ronaldo-Zinedine-Zidane-join-Didier-Drogba-Match-Against-Poverty.html"</ref>
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| − | In 2012, McManaman was officially declared as UEFA's sole ambassador for the [[2013 UEFA Champions League Final]] to be held at Wembley.<ref name="uefa" />
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| − | ===Corporate work===
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| − | In July 2007, McManaman was named [[executive director]] of [[Carson Yeung]]'s Hong Kong-[[listed company]] Grandtop International Holdings Ltd, which subsequently took a 29.9% stake in Premier League side [[Birmingham City F.C.|Birmingham City]]. In August 2009, Yeung confirmed that once his proposed take-over of Birmingham City went through, a role at [[St Andrew's (stadium)|St Andrew's]] would be given to McManaman, although he did not specify what role that would be,<ref>{{cite web | url=http://goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/08/24/1459167/carson-yeung-promises-to-spend-5-million-on-players-for | title=Carson Yeung Promises To Spend £5 Million On Players For Birmingham City | publisher=goal.com | date=24 August 2009}}</ref> and by 2010, McManaman was appointed as a board director at Birmingham City, where McManaman assured [[Steve Bruce]] at the time that he was not part of some scheme to take over his job as coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-488578/Bruce-McManamans-told-doesnt-want-job.html |title=Bruce: McManaman's told me he doesn't want my job |work=Daily Mail|date=19 October 2007 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> On 4 June 2012, it was announced that he had resigned as an executive director of Birmingham International Holdings, the company that owns Birmingham City.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://202.66.146.82/listco/hk/birminghamint/announcement/a120604.pdf | title= Hong Kong Stock Exchange announcement }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat%3D4%26art_id%3D123121%26sid%3D36615064%26con_type%3D1%26d_str%3D20120605%26fc%3D2 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-09-22 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430030713/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=4&art_id=123121&sid=36615064&con_type=1&d_str=20120605&fc=2 |archivedate=30 April 2014 |df= }}</ref> On 19 September 2012, the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] criticised McManaman "... for failing to use best endeavours to procure Birmingham City International Holdings' compliance with the Exchange Listing Rules".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.hkex.com.hk/eng/newsconsul/hkexnews/2012/120919news.htm |title=The Listing Committee of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited censures the following parties for breaching the Rules Governing the Listing of Securities on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited |publisher=hkex.com.hk |date=19 September 2012 |accessdate=20 September 2012}}</ref> The exchange said the company failed to disclose a large deposit it had to make as it was preparing to buy the English football club Birmingham City in 2009. The exchange also said the purchase of the club should have been put to the company's shareholders for their approval, which it was not.
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| − | In 2007–08, McManaman also got involved with corporate dealings in Hong Kong with companies like Sure Trace Inc, which was set up by another [[porn]] baron and [[stock market]] and IT entrepreneur, James MacKay, who transferred two-thirds of the company to him.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/technology/ergs-26m-deal-with-porn-boss/story-e6frgaox-1111112788476?nk=0b03e07d6597331b130e70148fae3cfd |title=ERG's $26m deal with porn boss | work=The Australian |date=6 January 2007 |accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref> The company made news for wrong reasons as Sure Trace had made a number of major contract announcements which had not become actual, revenue-generating contracts and was delisted by the US [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC). The company then setup True Product ID as a company to conduct technology joint ventures in China and the company was transferred to McManaman. To protect investors, the SEC suspended Sure Trace Security in August 2005, citing the accuracy of public information regarding its technology sales.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/erg-tight-lipped-on-26m-smartcard-deal-with-porn-site-boss/story-e6frg8zx-1111112788464?nk=09e86ca1c1a815b006d47900ecd548cc |title=ERG tight-lipped on $26m smartcard deal with porn site boss |work=The Australian |date=6 January 2007 |accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref>
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| − | ===Management intentions & Coaching Role===
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| − | In January 2009, McManaman gave a press interview where he revealed his intention to go into management. "I'm still thinking of getting back into the game and hopefully I will do my coaching badges at some point this year ... It is going to be hard, though. There seems to be far less jobs available for the younger guys. Paul Ince, Roy Keane, Tony Adams – it seems as if people have got it in for them. It's becoming a bit less attractive ... If I do get back in, I don't want to be a coach ... I want to be a manager, but that's easier said than done ... I want to be able to pick the team, make the decisions and everything that goes with it. That said, I can't do anything without my badges", he told the ''[[Liverpool Echo]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/setantas-steve-mcmanaman-willing-liverpool-3461863 |title=Liverpool F.C. – News – Setanta's Steve McManaman willing Liverpool to title glory |work=Liverpool Echo |date= |accessdate=12 July 2014}}</ref>
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| − | In October 2013, it was announced by [[Brendan Rodgers]] that McManaman would be taking up a coaching role with Liverpool at the academy to help nurture the club's future talents.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2441327/Robbie-Fowler-Steve-McManaman-Rob-Jones-return-Liverpool-youth-academy-mentors.html|title= Liverpool legends Fowler, McManaman and Jones return to club to help Kop kids|date=2 October 2013|work=Daily Mail|accessdate=2 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2441327/Robbie-Fowler-Steve-McManaman-Rob-Jones-return-Liverpool-youth-academy-mentors.html|title=Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Rob Jones return to Liverpool as youth academy mentors – Daily Mail Online|work=Mail Online}}</ref>
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| − | ===Media career===
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| − | McManaman first got a taste for media work in 2005 after he became active as a [[freelance]] [[Mass media|media]] [[sports commentator|commentator]] and pundit, providing analysis to [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]] for the [[2005 UEFA Champions League Final|2005 Champions League final]], in which he provided the analysis as his old club Liverpool won the trophy. McManaman then went on to take up opportunities for Asia's largest football broadcasters, [[ESPN Star]], in [[Singapore]] in 2006, where he worked alongside commentator [[John Dykes]] and ex-players such as fellow ex-Liverpool star [[Steve McMahon (footballer)|Steve McMahon]].<ref>{{cite web|author=James Pearce |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2007/03/09/opportunity-knocks-for-reds-in-asia-100252-18728585/ |title=Liverpool F.C. – News – Opportunity knocks for Reds in Asia |work=Liverpool Echo |date=9 March 2007 |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | By 2007, also McManaman became a full-time media pundit, having joined [[Setanta Sports]] as a football [[color analyst|analyst]] and, for the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08]] season, he was given his own television show -''Macca's Monday Night''- reflecting on life in the Barclays Premier League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/324/29/ |title=When Saturday Comes – Beckham and Lovejoy on MLS |publisher=Wsc.co.uk |date= |accessdate=16 August 2011}}</ref> On the show, he played host and was joined by [[Neil Warnock]], the former [[Sheffield United F.C.|Sheffield United]] manager, James Richardson, [[Emmanuel Petit]], [[Tim Sherwood]] and [[Les Ferdinand]]. The show was finally axed in favour of "Football Matters", a live late Monday-night discussion show hosted by [[James Richardson (television presenter)|James Richardson]] and [[Rebecca Lowe]]. Renowned for his direct comments, in one of McManaman's broadcasts in February 2008, McManaman found himself criticised in the Liverpool press and by former Liverpool fans when his comments for Setanta after a Merseyside derby, on the ownership issue concerning debt involving [[Tom Hicks]] and [[George N. Gillett, Jr.]] at Anfield went down poorly with the supporters.<ref>{{cite web|author=Tony Barrett |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2008/02/09/steve-mcmanaman-attack-on-fans-totally-out-of-order-100252-20454242/ |title=Liverpool F.C. – News – Steve McManaman attack on fans totally out of order |work=Liverpool Echo |date= |accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref>
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| − | Since July 2010, having joined commentator Ian Darke and former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann as well as Dutch International Ruud Gullit on the [[ESPN]] coverage team as a commentary analyst for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]], McManaman has since signed on with the network to be an in-game analyst for [[Major League Soccer]] and [[MLS Cup 2010]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2010/11/mls-cup-2010-on-espn-hd-espn3-com-and-espn-mobile-tv/|title=MLS Cup 2010 on ESPN HD, ESPN3.com and ESPN Mobile TV|date=November 18, 2010|accessdate=August 30, 2017}}</ref> the Premier League and even the [[2013 FIFA Confederations Cup]] and [[2014 FIFA World Cup|2014 World Cup]], and has become a permanent co-commentator alongside [[Ian Darke]]. In late November 2010 and in May 2011, McManaman was the halftime in-studio analyst alongside Gary Lineker and [[Trevor Francis]] for La Liga's ''El Clásico'' broadcast on [[Al Jazeera Sports +3]]. McManaman and Darke were the main ESPN commentary team for [[UEFA Euro 2012|Euro 2012]],<ref>url="http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/06/espn-inc-at-uefa-euro-2012/"</ref> while McManaman was also a guest on daily panel show, ESPN [[PressPass]] (now re-branded as [[ESPN FC]]), alongside [[Steve Nicol]], [[Robbie Mustoe]], [[Shaka Hislop]], [[Robbie Earle]] and [[Gabriele Marcotti]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/video_audio/138609.html |title=ESPN |work=ESPN UK |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921055844/http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/video_audio/138609.html |archivedate=21 September 2013 |df= }}</ref>
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| − | From the 2013–14 season, McManaman joined [[BT Sport]] as one of its lead co-commentator for its new Premier League coverage,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/blog/2013/may/09/steve-mcmanaman-bt-sport|title=Steve McManaman collects campaign medal No3 with BT Sport stint|author=Rob Bagchi|work=the Guardian}}</ref> McManaman is known for his frank yet candid comments that despite tendentiously staying safe and stating the obvious, were always good humoured. He was also known for his flamboyant dress sense – once causing a [[Twitter]] stir for turning up to a live broadcast in an [[Inspector Gadget (franchise)|Inspector Gadget]]-like outfit<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/bt-sport-pundit-steve-mcmanaman-roundly-mocked-for--inspector-gadget--outfit-083954998.html |title=BT Sport pundit Steve McManaman roundly mocked for 'Inspector Gadget' outfit |date=1 February 2015 |work=Yahoo Sport |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150201212615/https://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/early-doors/bt-sport-pundit-steve-mcmanaman-roundly-mocked-for--inspector-gadget--outfit-083954998.html |archivedate=1 February 2015 |df= }}</ref>
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| − | ==Personal life==
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| − | Together with Robbie Fowler, McManaman has invested in several racehorses through a company named The Macca and Growler Partnership, their most prolific horse being Seebald, winner of 2003 [[Celebration Chase|Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Celebration Chase]].<ref>{{cite web |title=People in racing: Celebrities |work=British Horse Racing |url=http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/peopleinracing/celebrities/1.1.7.4.asp |accessdate=23 August 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080517134320/http://www.britishhorseracing.com/goracing/racing/peopleinracing/celebrities/1.1.7.4.asp |archivedate=17 May 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2013, veteran [[jockey]] [[Tony McCoy]] named his horse for the [[Chepstow]] races, "El Macca" in reference to McManaman.<ref>url="http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/racing/mccoy-still-needs-two-for-landmark-248666.html"</ref>
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| − | McManaman's grandfather was a [[bookmaker]] and his father described the family as having "[[horseracing]] in their blood".<ref>{{cite news|author=Eddie Fremantle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2002/mar/10/horseracing.football |title=Footballers' dads | Sport | work=The Observer |date= 10 March 2002|accessdate=6 July 2011}}</ref> According to the English FA website, McManaman is a distant relative of [[Callum McManaman]], who plays professional football as a winger at Sunderland<ref>url="http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/M/callum-mcmanaman"</ref>
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| − | McManaman married his longtime girlfriend, Victoria Edwards, a [[barrister#England and Wales|barrister]] and law lecturer (who taught at the [[Autonomous University of Madrid]] during her time in Madrid with McManaman), on 6 June 2002, in [[Mallorca]]'s [[Palma Cathedral]]. Victoria gave birth to their daughters Ella in 2006 and Lara in 2009, and son Lucas James in 2012. The family divides its time between homes in [[Bay of Palma]], [[London]] and [[Cheshire]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc-mallorca.com/victoria-mcmanaman/ |title=Victoria McManaman |publisher=ABC Mallorca |date=5 November 2008 |accessdate=20 March 2009 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204110545/http://www.abc-mallorca.com/victoria-mcmanaman/ |archivedate=4 December 2008 |df= }}</ref>
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| − | ==Career statistics==
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| − | {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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| − | |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
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| | |- | | |- |
| − | ! rowspan="2" |Club
| + | |rowspan="4"|2014 || ''[[Veeram (2014 film)|Veeram]]'' || Savarimuthu's daughter || |
| − | ! rowspan="2" |Season
| |
| − | ! colspan="3" | League
| |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Nationbal Cup
| |
| − | ! colspan="2" | [[League Cup]]
| |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Europe
| |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Total
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | ! Division
| + | | ''[[Ninaithathu Yaaro]]'' || || |
| − | ! Apps !! Goals
| |
| − | ! Apps !! Goals
| |
| − | ! Apps !! Goals
| |
| − | ! Apps !! Goals
| |
| − | ! Apps !! Goals
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |rowspan="10"|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] | + | | ''Pongadi Neengalum Unga Kadhalum'' || Sameera || |
| − | |[[1990–91 Liverpool F.C. season|1990–91]] | |
| − | |rowspan="2"|[[Football League First Division|First Division]]
| |
| − | |2||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||3||0
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |[[1991–92 Liverpool F.C. season|1991–92]] | + | | ''Athiyayam'' || || |
| − | |30||5||8||3||5||3||8||0||51||11 | |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |[[1992–93 Liverpool F.C. season|1992–93]]
| + | |rowspan="2"|2016 || ''[[Pazhaya Vannarapettai]]'' || || |
| − | |rowspan="7"|[[Premier League]] | |
| − | |31||4||1||0||5||2||3||1||40||7
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |[[1993–94 Liverpool F.C. season|1993–94]] | + | | ''[[Atti (film)|Atti]]'' || || |
| − | |30||2||2||0||2||0||0||0||34||2 | |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | |[[1994–95 Liverpool F.C. season|1994–95]]
| + | [[Niram Maaratha Pookkal (TV series)|Niram Maaratha Pookkal]] |
| − | |40||7||7||0||8||2||0||0||55||9 | + | |} |
| − | |-
| + | |
| − | |[[1995–96 Liverpool F.C. season|1995–96]]
| + | ==Television== |
| − | |38||6||7||2||4||1||4||1||53||10
| + | {| class="wikitable" |
| − | |-
| + | |- style="background:#cccccf; text-align:center;" |
| − | |[[1996–97 Liverpool F.C. season|1996–97]]
| + | | '''Year''' || '''Film''' || '''Role''' || '''Channel''' |
| − | |37||7||2||0||4||2||8||1||51||10
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |[[1997–98 Liverpool F.C. season|1997–98]]
| |
| − | |36||11||1||0||5||0||4||1||46||12
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |[[1998-99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]]
| |
| − | |28||4||0||0||0||0||3||1||31||5
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Liverpool Total
| |
| − | !272||46||29||5||33||10||30||5||364||66
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |rowspan="5"|[[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]
| |
| − | |[[1999–2000 Real Madrid C.F. season|1999–2000]]
| |
| − | |rowspan="4"|[[La Liga]] | |
| − | |30||3||10||0||0||0||7||1||47||4
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |[[2000–01 Real Madrid C.F. season|2000–01]]
| |
| − | |26||2||6||0||0||0||10||0||42||2
| |
| − | |- | |
| − | |[[2001–02 Real Madrid C.F. season|2001–02]]
| |
| − | |23||2||2||0||0||0||13||2||38||4
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |[[2002–03 Real Madrid C.F. season|2002–03]]
| |
| − | |15||1||4||1||0||0||6||2||25||4
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Real Madrid Total
| |
| − | !94||8||22||1||0||0||36||5||152||14
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |rowspan="3"|[[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| |
| − | |[[2003–04 Manchester City F.C. season|2003–04]]
| |
| − | |rowspan="2"|[[Premier League]]
| |
| − | |22||0||3||0||1||0||4||0||30||0 | |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |[[2004–05 Manchester City F.C. season|2004–05]]
| |
| − | |13||0||1||0||0||0||0||0||14||0
| |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | ! colspan="2" | Manchester City Total
| + | | 2017-Present || [[Niram Maaratha Pookkal (TV series)|Niram Maaratha Pookkal]] || Venmathi |
| − | !35||0||4||0||1||0||4||0||44||0
| + | | [[Zee Tamil]] |
| | |- | | |- |
| − | ! colspan=3 | Career Total
| |
| − | !401||54||52||6||37||10||70||10||560||80
| |
| | |} | | |} |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Honours==
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ===Club===
| |
| − | ;[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| |
| − | * [[FA Cup]] (1): [[1992 FA Cup Final|1991–92]]
| |
| − | * [[League Cup]] (1): [[1995 Football League Cup Final|1994–95]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ;[[Real Madrid C.F.|Real Madrid]]
| |
| − | * [[La Liga]] (2): [[2000–01 La Liga|2000–01]], [[2002–03 La Liga|2002–03]]
| |
| − | * [[Supercopa de España]] (2): [[2001 Supercopa de España|2001]], [[2003 Supercopa de España|2003]]
| |
| − | * [[UEFA Champions League]] (2): [[2000 UEFA Champions League Final|1999–2000]], [[2002 UEFA Champions League Final|2001–02]]
| |
| − | * [[UEFA Super Cup]] (1): [[2002 UEFA Super Cup|2002]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ===Individual===
| |
| − | * [[Alan Hardaker Trophy]] (1): [[1995 Football League Cup Final|1995]]
| |
| − | * [[PFA Team of the Year]] (1): [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]]
| |
| − | * [[Euro 1996#UEFA Team of the Tournament|UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament]] (1): [[Euro 1996|1996]]
| |
| − | * [[Premier League Player of the Month]] (1): [[1997–98 in English football|December 1997]]
| |
| − | * [[UEFA Champions League|UEFA Champions League Final – Man of the Match]]: [[2000 UEFA Champions League Final|2000]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ==Further reading==
| |
| − | *{{cite book |author1=McManaman, Steve |author2=Edworthy, Sarah |lastauthoramp=yes |
| |
| − | title=El Macca: Four Years with Real Madrid |
| |
| − | publisher=Simon & Schuster|
| |
| − | year=2003|
| |
| − | isbn=0-7434-8920-9 }}
| |
| | | | |
| | ==References== | | ==References== |
| − | {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} | + | {{Reflist|2}} |
| − | | |
| − | ==External links==
| |
| − | {{Sisterlinks|s=no|v=no|b=no|wikt=no}}
| |
| − | *[http://www.lfchistory.net/player_profile.asp?player_id=371 Profile] at [http://www.lfchistory.net/ LFC History.net]
| |
| − | *[http://www.realmadrid.com/en/about-real-madrid/history/football-legends/steven--mcmanaman Profile] at [[Realmadrid.com]]
| |
| − | | |
| − | {{Navboxes colour
| |
| − | | title = Awards
| |
| − | | bg = gold
| |
| − | | fg = navy
| |
| − | | list1 =
| |
| − | {{Alan Hardaker Trophy}}
| |
| − | {{UEFA Euro 1996 Team of the Tournament}}
| |
| − | {{1996–97 Premier League Team of the Year}}
| |
| − | {{100 players who shook the Kop}}
| |
| − | }}
| |
| − | {{Navboxes colour
| |
| − | | title = England squads
| |
| − | | bg = white
| |
| − | | fg = #0B0B3F
| |
| − | | bordercolor = #0B0B3F
| |
| − | | list1 =
| |
| − | {{England squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
| |
| − | {{England squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
| |
| − | {{England squad UEFA Euro 2000}}
| |
| − | }}
| |
| − | {{Authority control}}
| |
| | | | |
| − | {{DEFAULTSORT:McManaman, Steve}} | + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Ashmitha}} |
| − | [[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]] | + | [[Category:Indian film actresses]] |
| − | [[Category:English footballers]] | + | [[Category:Tamil actresses]] |
| − | [[Category:England international footballers]]
| |
| − | [[Category:English expatriates in Spain]]
| |
| − | [[Category:England under-21 international footballers]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Expatriate footballers in Spain]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Association football wingers]]
| |
| − | [[Category:La Liga players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Liverpool F.C. players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Footballers from Liverpool]]
| |
| − | [[Category:British people of Irish descent]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Premier League players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:Real Madrid C.F. players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:UEFA Euro 2000 players]]
| |
| − | [[Category:1972 births]]
| |
| | [[Category:Living people]] | | [[Category:Living people]] |
| − | [[Category:British expatriates in Spain]] | + | [[Category:Actresses in Tamil cinema]] |
| − | [[Category:Major League Soccer broadcasters]] | + | [[Category:Actresses from Chennai]] |
| − | [[Category:UEFA Champions League winning players]] | + | [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] |
| | + | [[Category:21st-century Indian actresses]] |
Both of her initial films as the lead actress had long-delayed releases in December 2016. Despite beginning work in 2014, Pazhaya Vannarapettai released first followed by Atti opposite Ma Ka Pa Anand, where she portrayed a speech therapist.[4][5][6]
