Where are the 2012 GB football team now, from Middle East coach to business tycoon | Football | Sport

It should have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Britain’s best young footballers to win a precious Olympic gold medal, but instead it ended in a meek quarter-final exit to South Korea. The London 2012 GB football team never captured the public imagination, with manager Stuart Pearce seemingly missing an opportunity to generate interest and publicity by refusing to select an available David Beckham.

The hosts beat the United Arab Emirates and Uruguay in their group, and a draw against Senegal set up a clash with the Koreans in Cardiff. But after a drab contest ended goalless after extra time, a certain Daniel Sturridge hit the post from the spot as Team GB were eliminated on penalties.

Under tournament rules, only players under the age of 23 were eligible, with three exceptions. And Express Sport looks at where each of the squad members who seemingly represented the future of British football are now…

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Jack Butland

Touted as a future England No.1, Butland never lived up to expectations despite winning nine caps. However, he cemented a reputation as a reliable Premier League goalkeeper during a seven-year stint at Stoke and, at 31, is now Rangers’ first-choice goalkeeper in Scotland.

Jason Steele

Steele is about to enter his seventh season as a Premier League goalkeeper – but only in the last two has he seen proper game time. At Middlesbrough, when he was picked by Team GB, moves to Blackburn and Sunderland followed before joining Brighton in 2018.

His first four years with the Seagulls, however, yielded just four appearances for the club. But Roberto de Zerbi’s two-year spell saw him play 43 times as the Italian rotated between the 33-year-old and Bart Verbruggen.

Neil Taylor

The then Swansea left-back would also play for Aston Villa and Middlesbrough before retiring in 2022. But his career breakthrough moment came at Euro 2016, when he scored his only international goal as Wales defeated Russia en route to the semi-finals.

Now he is handling one of the most intriguing managerial combinations. The 35-year-old is combining his role as assistant manager of Wales Under-21s with managing UAE Premier League side Gulf United FC.

Ryan Bertrand

Bertrand retired from football in 2023 after experiencing relegation from the Premier League with Leicester, but only after some unforgettable experiences on and off the pitch. The defender won 19 caps for England and lifted the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup with Chelsea before spending eight years at Southampton.

Despite being unemployed, the 34-year-old is in good financial shape, having co-founded a fintech brokerage called Silicon Markets in 2015. The company was eventually sold to a Malaysian firm, but only after Betrand and company had made a splash.

Steven Caulker

A Tottenham centre-back when the games began, the highly-rated Caulker never really fulfilled his potential as he became something of a journeyman. Indeed, his time in the Premier League was best summed up by signing for Liverpool on loan, only to be deployed as an emergency striker late on by Jurgen Klopp.

But at 32, he’s still going, having just signed a one-year contract with Turkish side Keciorengucu. And he’s playing internationally too, earning a single England call-up in a friendly against Sweden in 2012 before switching allegiances a decade later, now representing Sierra Leone.

Craig Dawson

Another defender who has had his fair share of club experience, Dawson joined Wolves from West Ham two seasons ago and has since become a vital player in the squad. The 34-year-old made 25 Premier League appearances last season and still has a year remaining on his contract.

James Tomkins

Olympic selection never materialised into England call-ups for James Tomkins, but the 35-year-old is still technically a Premier League player. Nine years at West Ham were followed by eight seasons at Palace, although he made just five appearances for the club in the 2024/25 campaign.

Micah Richards

One of Pearce’s over-age picks, Richards went to the Olympics as a Premier League champion, seemingly with a bright future ahead of him. But injury problems would hamper his potential before his career at Aston Villa came to an end, eventually retiring in 2019.

He remains relevant, however, a popular pundit on Sky Sports. And his partnership with Roy Keane has produced some entertaining television moments for viewers.

Danny Rose

Whatever the former England left-back is up to now, it doesn’t involve international football. Frozen out at Tottenham by Jose Mourinho, Rose joined Watford in 2021 in a bid to revive his career.

However, his return to Vicarage Road lasted just 12 months and yielded just nine appearances. His contract was terminated prematurely and, despite being just 34, he has yet to find a new club since.

Smart Tom

A Premier League winner with Manchester United, injury ended Cleverley’s time as a player at Watford last year. However, the former midfielder has now found himself in the hot seat of football.

Having immediately become the club’s manager, the 34-year-old was appointed manager at Vicarage Road following the sacking of Valerien Ismael. Considering it’s Watford, expect him to be out of a job by the time he’s 35.

Joe Allen

Joe Allen has come full circle since the Olympics. Instead of a combative Swansea midfielder, he duly joined Liverpool after the Olympics before a season at Stoke.

Having also played at both Euro 2016 and the 2022 World Cup with Wales, the 34-year-old is back as a combative midfielder with Swansea. The ‘Welsh Xavi’ was out of contract this summer but has been handed a new one-year deal.

Ryan Giggs

To say that Ryan Giggs is simply retired probably ignores some important facts. Pearce’s over-age second-choice became Wales manager in 2018 and briefly enjoyed hero status in his homeland after leading the country to Euro 2020 qualification.

However, his tenure ended after he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm and coercive and controlling behaviour towards two women, with a subsequent trial failing to reach a verdict. Now out of work, he remains a stakeholder at Salford FC.

Jack Cork

After seven years at Burnley, the one-cap international left the club this summer following their relegation from the Premier League. The 35-year-old midfielder is back on the market as a free agent and is reportedly not ready to retire.

Aaron Ramsey

After winning three FA Cups with Arsenal and a Serie A title with Juventus, Aaron Ramsey is still an active player for club and country. When he’s fit, that is.

The 33-year-old is back in Cardiff but injury problems restricted him to just 13 Championship appearances last season. He remains available for Wales too but missed the play-off defeat to Poland that cost the Dragons a place at Euro 2024.

Scott Sinclair

He moved to Manchester City after the Olympics and probably wished he hadn’t. To be fair to the winger, he resurrected his career at Celtic before returning to England and is now back where it all began at Bristol Rovers.

At 35, Sinclair remains a key player for the Gas, scoring four times last season. And his form has been rewarded with a new one-year contract.

Daniel Sturridge

Much like Micah Richards, injuries prevented Daniel Sturridge from truly fulfilling his youthful promise. But he still forged a career that saw him score 112 goals in 328 club games and score eight times for England before his playing days ended at Perth Glory two years ago.

And also like Richards, the 34-year-old is now working as a commentator for various broadcasters. His analysis, however, has received mixed reviews from viewers.

Craig Bellamy

Joining Richards and Giggs as the third wildcard player, he has now also joined Giggs on the shortlist to coach Wales. After working under Vincent Kompany at Burnley, the 45-year-old was confirmed as Robert Page’s successor this month, and given his history of volatile behaviour, the appointment has raised an eyebrow or two.

Marvin Sordell

Fans could be forgiven for not being able to instantly recall Marvin Sordell’s career. At Bolton when selected, he also played for England’s under-21s, but then moved on to a series of clubs before retiring aged just 29 five years ago, citing mental health issues.