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The Last Word With Matt Cooper

Football Legend Michael Owen Looks Back On His Incredible Career

Football legend Michael Owen has written his second autobiography, Reboot, in which he looks back op...
Sarah Stacey
Sarah Stacey

7:16 PM - 16 Sep 2019



The Last Word With Matt Cooper

Football Legend Michael Owen Looks Back On His Incredible Career

Sarah Stacey
Sarah Stacey

7:16 PM - 16 Sep 2019

Listen to this episode



Football legend Michael Owen has written his second autobiography, Reboot, in which he looks back openly and honestly on the highs and lows of his time on the pitch.

He joined us on The Last Word to relive some of these times.

Owen had a spectacular start to his career with Liverpool and England. He won the Ballon d'Or in 2001 at age 21, the first English player to do so since Kevin Keegan in 1979.

He then had further success in Spain with Real Madrid, a move he described as the opportunity of a lifetime: "I made the decision that I thought was right at the time and I definitely have no regrets."

A planned return to Liverpool didn't happen and he instead had a stint at Newcastle, before enjoying a late career resurgence with Manchester United.

Things eventually fizzled out for him due to injuries and no longer having the pace he was renowned for.

Owen described the "mental pain" of realising he was no longer at his best: "I could still finish, but the speed was going and all of a sudden I had to redefine my game."

He also spoke about family support, being replaced by younger players such as Wayne Rooney ("everybody has a successor") and the difficulties of adjusting to retirement.

"Football wasn't a choice, it was a life, and all of a sudden no one's interested. No matter how much you prepare for it, it still takes a little bit of time."

Listen to the interview in full by pressing the play button on this page.


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Autobiography Football Michael Owen

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