Paul Gascoigne is one of the most recognisable names in international football. Described by the National Football Museum as “the most naturally gifted English midfielder of his generation” upon his induction in 2002, Gascoigne has represented his country internationally and has held the role of both player and manager. Paul Gascoigne is a celebrity available for booking through London based agency, MN2S.
Gascoigne was born in Gateshead and did not find his feet in the world of football easily. Although he was spotted at a young age playing for the team Gateshead Boys, he would not impress at the trial at Ipswich Town that followed, nor when trying out for Middlesbrough and Southampton. However, Gascoigne would prove his talent for his childhood team of Newcastle United, and they signed the youth at the age of 13.
Following a successful, trophy winning season captaining Newcastle United’s youth team, Gascoigne debuted as a substitute for George Reilly against Queens Park Rangers in 1985 and soon entered into a two year contract with the club. In these early years with the club, Gascoigne proved a powerful and valuable player, scoring well in both the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons.
Following Newcastle United’s placement of 11th position at the end of his first season with the club, the young Gascoigne was featured on the cover of the Rothmans Football Yearbook. The close of the 1987-88 season saw Gascoigne named as the PFA Young Player of the Year and he found himself courting offers from high profile clubs such as Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, signing with the latter for a British record breaking fee of £2.2 million.
Gascoigne’s move to Tottenham saw the club rise to 6th place in the First Division, and the following season of 1989-90, to 3rd place. His impressive play earned him both BBC Sports Personality of the Tear and Tottenham Hotspur’s Player of the Year. His skilful performance continued into the 1990-91 season and the Italian club Lazio began to circle Gascoigne proposing a £8.5 million deal. Gascoigne agreed to the terms but went on to sustain a serious injury that season, rupturing the cruciate ligaments in his right knee, and was out of action for the following season.
Gascoigne’s time with Lazio was a series of highs and lows, but he soon became a favourite with the Italian fans and secured Lazio their qualification for European competition with 5th position finish, an achievement that had been near impossible for almost two decades.
In the summer of 1995 Gascoigne signed with Rangers F.C. and made proved his worth immediately. He thrilled fans with some spectacular goals, scoring hat tricks and scoring a memorable goal running the full length of the Celtic Park pitch. Rangers went on to win the 1995-96 season with Gascoigne winning further Footballer of the Year accolades.
Gascoigne departed from Rangers to join Middlesbrough in 1998 and helped the club progress to the Premier League at the end of the season. He would play out the rest of his career as a midfielder with Everton, scoring his final goals with the club.
Gascoigne has also enjoyed a coaching career, taking over managerial duties at Boston United in 2004 and Kettering Town in 2005, where new sponsors were successfully attained.
Gascoigne remains a controversial figure, a man of immense talent and creative play, who inspired both sympathy and “Gazzamania” from the British public following his World Cup performances. Considered one of the best by both fans and fellow players, decorated fellow midfielder Paul Ince described him as “the best player I’ve ever played with … he had everything. He was amazing.” Although it may have been over a decade since Gascoigne was on the pitch, he remains a relevant and revered presence, as a 2015 documentary about the footballer, Gascoigne, proves.
To book Paul Gascoigne to appear at a private or corporate event or brand endorsement, please get in touch with an agent at MN2S Talent Agency.