Former England striker Michael Owen recently appeared on Jamie Laing's Great Company podcast to discuss his career and personal life. During the episode, Owen engaged in lighthearted banter regarding former teammates while also making startling admissions about his parenting style.
A marriage to Wayne Rooney that wouldn't last
During a playful "marry, sleep with, avoid" segment on the Great Company podcast, Michael Owen joked that he would choose to marry Wayne Rooney. However, the 46-year-old former striker admitted that such a union would likely resut in a divorce due to the presence of too much alcohol, a nod to Rooney's own well-documented history with the substance. As the report says, Owen's choice was also influenced by personal preferences, noting he would not want to be intimate with Rooney because he is "a bit too hairy."
Owen's banter extended to his other former teammates, including Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer. He clarified his choices by stating he would choose Lineker for intimacy—noting he is a great laugh—while he would choose to avoid Shearer. This lighthearted exchange highlighted the enduring camaraderie that exists between some of the most decorated names in English football history.
The 'tough love' approach to Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica
Shifting from football banter to personal vulnerability, Owen confessed that he has never explicitly told his four children—Gemma, James, Emily, and Jessica—that he loves them. Speaking to host Jamie Laing, Owen explained that he relies on a "tough love" approach, operating under the assumption that his actions as a parent demonstrate his affection more effectively than words. He expressed a fear that constantly vocalizing such feelings might "dilute their meaning."
While Owen acknowledged that this method might not be the healthiest, he suggested that he is attempting to evolve.. He told the podcast audience that while he is not a naturally "soft" parent, he feels that age and reflection are helping him become more emotionally open. This admission provides a rare, unvarnished look at the private life of a man once defined solely by his clinical finishing on the pitch.
Comparing 260-goal scorers and card-free legends
The podcast conversation provided a backdrop of elite football history, contrasting the massive legacies of the men Owen discussed. The source highlights the staggering statistics of these icons, noting that Alan Shearer remains the Premier League's all-time top scorer with 260 goals. Similarly, Wayne Rooney's legacy is anchored by his 253 goals for Manchester United.
In contrast to the aggressive scoring records of his peers, the report notes that Gary Lineker maintained a remarkably clean disciplinary record, never receiving a single yellow or red card throughout his 16-year playing career.. These comparisons underscored the different paths taken by the men who defined an era of English football, from Shearer's punditry to Lineker's long-standing role on Match Of The Day.
What the 'Meet The Owens' docuseries might uncover
As Owen continues to navigate life after football,much of his personal life is being documented in the new fly-on-the-wall series, Meet The Owens. The show, which features Owen and his wife Louise, follows the family as they manage a busy horse racing business alongside their domestic lives.
However, several questions remain regarding Owen's emotional evolution. While he admitted to the podcast that he wants to be "softer" with his family, it remains to be seen if this will translate into more vocal affection in his private life. Furthermore, the source does not clarify how his children perceive his "tough love" philosophy, leaving fans to wonder how much more of his internal world will be revealed in future appearances.
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