Paul Gascoigne

Gascoigne was born in Gateshead, County Durham, on 27 May 1967.{{Hugman|7083|access-date=24 October 2018}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/HeroesDetail/0,,10278~550714,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080424061003/http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/HeroesDetail/0,,10278~550714,00.html |archive-date=24 April 2008 |title=Heroes: Paul Gascoigne |publisher=Newcastle United F.C}} His father, John (1946–2018), was a hod carrier, and his mother, Carol, worked in a factory.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=12}} He was named Paul John Gascoigne in tribute to Paul McCartney and John Lennon of the Beatles.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=13}} He is of Irish descent through his grandparents.{{Cite web|url=https://www.balls.ie/football/13-players-eligible-for-ireland-461530|title=13 Big Name Players That Were Eligible To Play For Ireland|first=Gary|last=Connaughton|website=Balls.ie|date=5 June 2023 }}

He attended Breckenbeds Junior High School, then the Heathfield Senior High School, both in the Low Fell area of Gateshead.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=23}} He was noticed by football scouts while playing for Gateshead Boys, though failed to impress in a trial at Ipswich Town.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=30}} Further trials at Middlesbrough and Southampton also proved unsuccessful before the team he supported, Newcastle United, signed him as a schoolboy in 1980.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=31}} Former Ipswich and Newcastle scout Charlie Woods has claimed Ipswich were keen on signing Gascoigne, but once Newcastle got wind they quickly signed up the youngster.{{Cite web|title=Former Premier League Scout Charlie Woods on Modern-Day Recruitment and Working With Sir Bobby Robson - Compare.bet® News|url=https://www.compare.bet/news/former-premier-league-scout-charlie-woods-on-modern-day-recruitment-and-working-with-sir-bobby-robson|access-date=2021-07-16|website=Compare.bet®|date=June 2003 |language=en-GB}} Gascoigne frequently got into trouble with his friend, Jimmy "Five Bellies" Gardner. The pair were even taken to court and fined over a hit and run incident.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=48}} Newcastle chairman Stan Seymour Jr. described Gascoigne as "George Best without brains".{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=66}}

While Gascoigne was successful on the football field, his childhood was marked by instability and tragedy. Initially, his family lived in a single upstairs room in a council house with a shared bathroom and moved several times during his early life.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=11}} When he was ten, Gascoigne witnessed the death of Steven Spraggon, the younger brother of a friend, who was killed in a traffic collision.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=17}} Around this time, his father began to experience seizures. Gascoigne began developing obsessions and twitches, and was taken into therapy, but soon quit the therapy sessions after his father expressed doubts over the treatment methods.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=18}}

Gascoigne developed an addiction to gaming machines, frequently spending all his money on them, and also began shoplifting to fund his addiction.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2292333/The-life-and-times-of-Paul-Gascoigne.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2292333/The-life-and-times-of-Paul-Gascoigne.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |location=London, UK |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Rob |last=Stewart |title=The life and times of Paul Gascoigne |date=14 February 2008}}{{cbignore}} He experienced further tragedy when a friend, whom he had encouraged to join Newcastle United from Middlesbrough, died whilst he was working for Gascoigne's uncle on a building site.

Brian Tinnion met Gascoigne for the first time at 14 when Tinnion signed for Dunston Juniors, another side Gascoigne played for.{{cite news | last = Byrom| first = David | title = Former teammate shares brilliant story about Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur hero Paul Gascoigne| newspaper = Bristol Post | location = Bristol | language = en | publisher =Bristolpost.co.uk | date = 6 December 2018| url = https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-teammate-shares-brilliant-story-2298058| access-date = 22 November 2019}} Tinnion explained that though Gascoigne eventually became the stand out, by the age of 15, most felt that Ian Bogie would be the top player out of this particular Newcastle youth set up. Gascoigne decided to provide financially for his family – his parents and two sisters – as he saw professional football as a way of earning more money than the rest of the family were capable of.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=141}} He enjoyed football and later wrote that "I didn't have twitches or worry about death when I was playing football".{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=28}} He was signed on as an apprentice at Newcastle on his 16th birthday.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=37}}

He was usually overweight whilst signed to the Newcastle youth side. Jack Charlton, the Newcastle manager, claimed Gascoigne was "a bit chubby" and looked anything but a footballer.{{sfnp|Charlton|1996|pp=183–184}} Gascoigne ate Mars bars and other junk food.{{sfnp|Charlton|1996|pp=183–184}} Charlton was not overly concerned as he believed this weight would give Gascoigne extra strength on the football pitch and did not seem to slow him down.{{sfnp|Charlton|1996|pp=183–184}} He also noted that Gascoigne showed early signs of being gaffe-prone and a prankster.{{sfnp|Charlton|1996|pp=183–184}}{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}} Charlton warned Gascoigne about his junk food diet and gave him two weeks to lose the extra weight.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}} Gascoigne then trained for ten days wrapped in a black bag.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}}

Gascoigne captained Newcastle United's youth team to the FA Youth Cup in the 1984–85 season and scored twice in the 4–1 victory over Watford in the final at Vicarage Road.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=56}} In the first leg of the final, they drew 0–0.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}} Teammate Joe Allon stated that Newcastle were unusually poor in the first leg,{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}} but in the second leg, Gascoigne was instrumental in Newcastle's victory.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}} After the match, Jack Charlton told Gascoigne he would be in the first team the next day against Norwich City.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}} Gascoigne did travel to Norwich, though Charlton chose not to pick him.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}}

Gascoigne made his first-team debut as a substitute for George Reilly in a 1–0 win over Queens Park Rangers on 13 April 1985 at St James' Park.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=57}} Charlton later noted that Gascoigne's first-team appearances under him were too brief to suggest he was more than a useful talent.{{sfnp|Charlton|1996|pp=183–184}} At the age of 18, Gascoigne signed a two-year £120 a week contract at Newcastle, with the club also having a further two-year option clause.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=58}} Through noting Gascoigne's generous personality, Charlton arranged that around half of Gascoigne's wage be paid into a bank account for him to collect in a lump sum at the end of his first contract.{{sfnp|Charlton|1996|pp=183–184}}

Willie McFaul took over as manager for the 1985–86 season and named Gascoigne in his starting lineup from the opening game of the campaign; he took the place of Chris Waddle, who had been sold to Tottenham Hotspur in the summer.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=60}} He scored his first goal at home to Oxford United in a 3–0 victory on 21 September 1985 and claimed a further eight goals in the 1985–86 campaign.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=61}} Newcastle finished 11th in the First Division that season and, at the end of it, Gascoigne was featured on the front cover of the Rothmans Football Yearbook.{{Cite web |url=http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadtmrs.asp?ssnno=115&teamno=386 |title=Results – Newcastle United FC |date=21 July 2011 |publisher=Newcastle United Mad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004183900/http://www.newcastleunited-mad.co.uk/footydb/loadtmrs.asp?ssnno=115&teamno=386 |archive-date=4 October 2011 |url-status=dead |access-date=19 September 2011}} He scored 5 goals in 24 league games in the 1986–87 season,{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=67}} as the "Magpies" slipped to 17th place, just three points above the relegation play-offs.{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/engpaul/FLA/1986-87.html |title=England 1986–87 |publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |access-date=24 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127102628/http://www.rsssf.com/engpaul/FLA/1986-87.html |archive-date=27 January 2010 |url-status=live}}

{{external media | float = left | width = 35% | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/v/ad5Atz-w5oA?start=0&end=60 Jackie Milburn on Gascoigne, 1988]}} In 1988, on the BBC programme Football Focus, Newcastle's then all-time top scorer, Jackie Milburn, stated that Gascoigne was "the best player in the world".{{sfnp|Clark|2016|loc=Kindle locations 748–751}} In a 0–0 draw with Wimbledon at Plough Lane in February 1988, hard-man Vinnie Jones singled him out for attention, and in an incident that would become a much-publicised photograph, Jones grabbed him by the genitals as Gascoigne screamed in agony.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=73}} He was named as the PFA Young Player of the Year and listed on the PFA Team of the Year in the 1987–88 season. However, his period at Newcastle coincided with unrest and instability at the club, which left the club unable to hold on to such a talented young player.{{cite web | url = https://play.acast.com/s/thechronicle/f0eee196-1c91-4e10-8696-09201927e784| title = Sir John Hall special: Former Newcastle owner reveals all about his time at the top| last = Musgrove | first = Andrew | date = 21 March 2019 | website = play.acast.com| publisher = Chronicle | access-date = 17 July 2019 }} Gascoigne promised Alex Ferguson that he would sign for Manchester United.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=77}} Ferguson duly went on holiday to Malta, expecting to sign Gascoigne. On his holiday, he received the news that Gascoigne had signed for Tottenham Hotspur for a record British fee of £2.2 million.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=78}} In his 1999 autobiography, Ferguson claimed that Gascoigne was wooed into signing for Spurs after they bought a house for his impoverished family.Ferguson, Alex (1999) Managing My Life. London: Hodder and Stoughton, pp 264–265. Gascoigne, in his autobiography, states that after he was given his £100,000 signing-on fee, he spent £70,000 buying property for his mother and father.{{sfnp|Gascoigne|2014|loc=Grabbed by Vinnie...}}

In his first season at White Hart Lane, Gascoigne helped Terry Venables's Tottenham Hotspur to sixth in the First Division, scoring 7 goals in 37 appearances.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=131}} They rose to third place in 1989–90, but were still 16 points behind champions Liverpool. On 26 September, he scored four goals in a 5–0 victory against Hartlepool United in the second round of the 1990–91 Football League Cup.{{cite web |last=Loughlin |first=Nick |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/13786016.match-report-tottenham-hotspur-5-hartlepool-united-0/ |title=Match Report: Tottenham Hotspur 5 Hartlepool United 0 |date=26 September 2016 |access-date=22 August 2021 |work=The Northern Echo}} He was named as BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1990, and on accepting the award said: "I haven't won anything in the game as yet. But the World Cup did help to put England on the map".{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=127}} He was also named as the club's Player of the Year.{{cite web |date=25 May 2023 |title=Tottenham Hotspur FC Player of the Year Awards |url=https://www.myfootballfacts.com/premier-league/premier-league-clubs-2/spurs_player_of_the_year/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |website=myfootballfacts.com}}

Gascoigne was named on the PFA Team of the Year in the 1990–91 season as Tottenham reached the FA Cup Final, with victories over Blackpool, Oxford United, Portsmouth, Notts County and North London derby rivals Arsenal. He scored the opening goal of the 3–1 victory over Arsenal at Wembley with a free-kick,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13270234|title=Gazza's moment of madness – 20 years on|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2011}} one of six goals he scored in the competition. At this juncture, Spurs were also under significant financial strain with a huge £10 million debt.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018|p=3}} With Spurs being tied to massive debt, they hired a financial advisor called Nat Solomon. Solomon strongly argued for selling Gascoigne to Lazio to keep the vultures at bay.{{sfnp|Fourfourtwo staff|2018|p=3}} Going into the final against Nottingham Forest, Spurs had readily accepted an offer from Lazio and Gascoigne had already agreed to the playing terms to join the Italian club. The deal would be worth £8.5 million to Tottenham.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=145}} His final was to end in injury; however as 15 minutes into the game, he committed a dangerous knee-high foul on Gary Charles and ruptured his own cruciate ligaments in his right knee. England teammate Stuart Pearce scored from the resultant free-kick, and Gascoigne subsequently collapsed after the kick-off, forcing him to leave the match on a stretcher.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=148}} Tottenham went on to win the Cup in extra-time.

{{Quote box|quote= "I'm very pleased for Paul but it's like watching your mother-in-law drive off a cliff in your new car."| source=— Terry Venables spoke after the deal with Lazio was agreed upon.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=161}}|width=35%|align=left}}

He missed the entire 1991–92 season while he recovered, suffering a further knee injury in late 1991 when an incident at a nightclub on Tyneside kept him out for even longer.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/21/newsstory.sport2 |title=Paul Gascoigne: a troubled life |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=21 February 2008 |access-date=21 July 2009 |author=Staff and agencies}} The saga over Gascoigne's proposed transfer to Lazio dominated the tabloid press throughout 1991, often overshadowing the key national news of that time – namely the recession and rise in unemployment that it sparked – although the broadsheet newspapers generally kept stories about Gascoigne confined to their back pages.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8149630.stm |title=Election countdown – 1990s style |date=21 July 2009 |last=Wheeler |first=Brian |work=BBC News}}

{{Quote box|quote= "He was a lovely boy, lovely, such a heart. But a troubled boy. He ate ice cream for breakfast, he drank beer for lunch … But a player? Oh, beautiful, beautiful." |source=— Dino Zoff.{{cite news | url= https://www.skysports.com/football/news/18804/10891514/paul-gascoigne-at-50-fifty-reasons-why-he-was-englands-superstar | title= Paul Gascoigne at 50: Fifty reasons why he was England's superstar | work=Sky Sports | access-date=12 June 2023}}{{cbignore}}|width=35%|align=right}}

Gascoigne eventually joined Lazio for a fee of £5.5 million; he received a £2 million signing-on fee and signed a contract worth £22,000 a week.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=159}} He made his Serie A debut on 27 September 1992 in a match against Genoa, which was televised in Britain as well as Italy.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=163}} He failed to fully settle in Italy and was beset by negative media interest which was not helped by the numerous occasions he punched reporters, and the time when he belched down a microphone on live television.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=167}}{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=168}} He was well received by the club's fans, but not by the club's owner Sergio Cragnotti, who resented him after Gascoigne greeted him by saying "Tua figlia, grande tette" (roughly translated as "Your daughter, big tits").{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=169}} His form was inconsistent in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico as he had previously spent a year out injured, but he endeared himself to Eagles fans when he scored in the 89th minute to equalise during the Rome derby against AS Roma.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=170}} He broke his cheekbone whilst on international duty in April 1993, and had to play the remaining games of the season in a mask.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=173}} Lazio ended the campaign in fifth place, which was considered a success as it meant qualification for European competition for the first time in 16 years.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=174}}

Gascoigne fell badly out of shape before the 1993–94 season and was told by manager Dino Zoff to lose 13kg by the start of the campaign else he would lose his first-team place. Gascoigne went on an extreme weight loss diet and shed excess fat.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=175}} In one spell out injured Zoff told Gascoigne to go on holiday to recuperate. Gascoigne explained to Zoff that he did not want to go on holiday.{{cite web | url = https://www.offtheball.com/soccer/paul-gascoigne-lazio-983906 | title =Gazza in Italy | last =Boohig | first =Colm | date =16 March 2020 | website = offtheball.com| access-date = 20 April 2020}} To the surprise of the Lazio fitness staff, Gascoigne arrived back from his holiday overweight. When he spoke to the coach about his weight, Gascoigne told Zoff, "I told you not to send me on holiday, Signor Zoff!" He captained the club against Cremonese when regular captain Roberto Cravero was substituted.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=187}}

In 1994, Zdeněk Zeman arrived from Foggia to coach Lazio and Gascoigne. Zeman was a coach who was noted for using his whistle in training sessions.{{cite web | url =https://www.football-italia.net/152135/casiraghi-gazza-zeman-and-goose | title =Casiraghi: 'Gazza, Zeman and a goose' | last = football-italia Staff | date = 14 April 2020| website = football-italia.net| access-date = 20 April 2020}} One session, Zeman misplaced his whistle and found it when a goose who frequented the Lazio training ground was seen wearing it. Pierluigi Casiraghi later reasoned Gascoigne was the culprit who placed Zeman's whistle on the goose. In April 1994, he broke his leg in training whilst attempting to tackle Alessandro Nesta.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=188}} Upon his recovery, he was disgruntled with Zeman's stern fitness approach, and both club and player decided to part ways at the end of the 1994–95 season.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=193}}

{{Quote box|quote="There's no doubt that Gascoigne has been one of the players to brighten up Scottish football over the last 30 to 40 years. It was an absolute privilege and a pleasure to play with somebody of that talent. I actually think we got the best of Gascoigne when he was at Rangers. And does he deserve his place in the Scotland Hall of Fame? You're joking, 100% he does."|source=— Ally McCoist in 2018.{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/oct/15/paul-gascoigne-hits-back-scottish-fa-hall-of-fame-snub | title= Paul Gascoigne hits back at Scottish FA over Hall of Fame snub| work=The Guardian | date=15 October 2018 | access-date=10 April 2019}}|width=35%|align=right}}

Rangers manager Walter Smith flew to visit Gascoigne at his home in the Rome countryside in the early summer of 1995. Smith explained: "He said, 'What are you doing here?' I said, 'I'm here to see you.' He said, 'What is it you're wanting?' I said, 'I'm here to see if you'll come and play for Rangers.' He said, 'Aye, alright.'"[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMm7Pslc4wo&t=1417s "East Kilbride FC Fundraiser Dinner - An Audience with Walter Smith"] – East Kilbride FC, YouTube, 14 January 2014

Gascoigne signed for Rangers in July 1995 for a club record fee of £4.3 million, on wages of £15,000 a week.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=196}}{{cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/story-telling/11095/12039258/paul-gascoigne-at-rangers-when-gazza-moved-to-scotland|title=When Paul Gascoigne joined Rangers...|first=Allan|last=Valente|work=Sky Sports}} He made an immediate impact: in the fifth league game of the 1995–96 season, the Old Firm fixture at Celtic Park, he scored a goal after running almost the full length of the pitch to get on the end of a pass in a breakaway;{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=198}} it proved vital as this was the only match lost by title rivals Celtic during the campaign. On 30 December, Gascoigne was booked by referee Dougie Smith after picking Smith's yellow card up from the ground and jokingly 'booking' the referee during a match against Hibernian.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=237}} Rangers went on to win the Scottish Premier Division, clinching the title in the penultimate game of the season against Aberdeen at Ibrox Stadium; Gascoigne scored a hat-trick including two solo efforts.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=199}}{{cite news|title=Wayward genius comes to the aid of Ibrox party. Gascoigne hat trick gives Rangers' support cause for celebration|url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12042592.wayward-genius-comes-to-the-aid-of-ibrox-party-gascoigne-hat-trick-gives-rangers-support-cause-for-celebration/|website=The Herald Scotland|date=29 April 1996|access-date=16 March 2024}} Rangers won the double as they also won the Scottish Cup by knocking out Celtic before beating Heart of Midlothian 5–1 in the final at Hampden Park. He scored 19 goals in 42 appearances in all competitions, and was named as both PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year and SFWA Footballer of the Year.{{cite web |title=Paul John Gascoigne |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamPlyrsBios/PlayersG/BioGascoignePJ.html |website=englandfootballonline.com |access-date=5 October 2014}}{{cite web |title=Scotland – Player of the Year |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/scotpoy.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=5 October 2014}}

Rangers won the league title again in 1996–97, their ninth in succession. Gascoigne claimed hat-tricks against Kilmarnock and Motherwell and ended the campaign with 17 goals in 34 games. However, during this season, manager Walter Smith and assistant Archie Knox became increasingly concerned over Gascoigne's reliance on alcohol.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=221}} The Gers won another double by also winning the Scottish League Cup, beating Hearts 4–3 in the final at Celtic Park, with Gascoigne scoring twice and Ally McCoist claiming the other two goals.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=226}}

In 1997, young Italian player Gennaro Gattuso joined Rangers. He was welcomed to Ibrox by Gascoigne,{{sfnp|Gattuso|2018|p=1}} who defecated in Gattuso's sock as a prank.{{sfnp|Gattuso|2018|p=1}} Gascoigne would also buy Gattuso his club suits under the pretence Rangers were paying for them;{{sfnp|Gattuso|2018|p=2}} Gattuso found out many months later from other sources that it was Gascoigne who secretly paid the bill.{{sfnp|Gattuso|2018|p=2}} In November 1997, Gascoigne received a five-match ban after being sent off for violent conduct during the Old Firm derby following an incident with Celtic midfielder Morten Wieghorst.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/33102.stm |title=Five-match ban for Gascoigne |date=20 November 1997 |access-date=8 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}} In January 1998, Gascoigne courted serious controversy when he mimed playing a flute (symbolic of the flute-playing of Orange Order marchers) while warming up as a substitute during an Old Firm match at Celtic Park.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/44396.stm |title=SFA probes piper Gascoigne |date=3 January 1998 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/44813.stm |title=Gazza faces flute fine |date=5 January 1998 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}} Having already made the same gesture as a goal celebration shortly after joining the club in 1995, at that time claiming to have been ignorant of its meaning, his actions infuriated Celtic fans who had been taunting him and Gascoigne was fined £20,000 by Rangers after the incident.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=234}} He also received a death threat from an IRA member.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/rangers-legend-gazza-feared-being-23457575|title=Rangers legend Gazza 'feared being shot on Ibrox pitch' after flute gesture at Old Firm match|first1=Stuart|last1=MacDonald|first2=Stephen|last2=Stewart|work=Daily Record|date=7 February 2021}} The 1997–98 season was less successful. Gascoigne scored just 3 goals in 28 games and was sold on while Rangers failed to win any trophies after he had departed, losing the league title to Celtic and the Scottish Cup final to Hearts.{{cite web |title=Scottish Premier Division 1997–1998 : Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/scotland/premier-division/1997-1998 |website=statto.com |access-date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085112/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/scotland/premier-division/1997-1998|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead }}

Gascoigne left Scotland to join Middlesbrough for £3.45 million in March 1998, where former England teammate Bryan Robson was manager.{{cite news |last=Nixon |first=Alan |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/football-middlesbrough-win-the-race-to-sign-troubled-gascoigne-1151165.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/football-middlesbrough-win-the-race-to-sign-troubled-gascoigne-1151165.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Middlesbrough win the race to sign troubled Gascoigne |date=19 March 1998 |access-date=7 August 2014 |work=The Independent}} His first match was the 1998 Football League Cup Final defeat to Chelsea at Wembley, where he came on as a substitute.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=242}} He played seven games in the First Division, helping "Boro" into the Premier League as runners-up to Nottingham Forest at the end of the 1997–98 season.{{cite web |title=English Premier League 1997–1998 : Table |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1997-1998/table |website=statto.com |access-date=5 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006100710/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1997-1998/table|archive-date=6 October 2014|url-status=dead }}

Before the 1998–99 campaign began, Gascoigne began having blackouts after blaming himself for the death of a friend, who died after Gascoigne and a group of friends went on a night out drinking.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=267}} Despite his ongoing personal problems and his spell in rehab, Gascoigne started the season in good form and helped Middlesbrough into fourth place by Christmas.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=277}} They ended the season in ninth place and having scored 3 goals in 26 top-flight games Gascoigne was linked with a recall to the England squad, who were now managed by former teammate Kevin Keegan and lacking a creative presence in midfield.

His career went into terminal decline during the 1999–2000 campaign, with Gascoigne breaking his arm after elbowing opposition midfield player George Boateng in the head during Middlesbrough's 4–0 defeat to Aston Villa at the Riverside Stadium.{{cite news |title=Gascoigne charged after Boateng clash |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/feb/16/newsstory.sport1 |work=The Guardian |last=Taylor |first=Daniel |location=London |date=16 February 2000}} He subsequently received a three-match ban and £5,000 fine from the Football Association.{{cite news |last=Thomas |first=Russell |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/mar/03/newsstory.sport3 |title=Gascoigne recovery hit by ban for three games |date=3 March 2000 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}

Gascoigne signed a two-year contract with Everton, managed by former Rangers boss Walter Smith, after joining on a free transfer in July 2000.{{cite news |last=Ross |first=Ian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/jul/17/newsstory.sport4 |title=Gascoigne offered two-year lifeline by Everton |date=17 July 2000 |work=The Guardian |location=London}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/837023.stm |title=Gazza signs for Everton |date=17 July 2000 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}} He started the 2000–01 season well despite not playing every game due to his lack of fitness, but a series of niggling injuries and his ongoing depression took him out of the first team picture by Christmas.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=291}}

After spending time at an alcohol rehabilitation clinic in Arizona,{{cite news |last=Bright |first=Richard |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/3006721/Gascoigne-in-clinic.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/3006721/Gascoigne-in-clinic.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Gascoigne in clinic |date=4 June 2001 |access-date=26 March 2014 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} Gascoigne was fit enough to play for the "Toffees" in the 2001–02 season, and he scored his first goal for the club – and last in English football – away to Bolton Wanderers on 3 November.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=296}} Gascoigne then suffered a hernia injury, which kept him out of action for three months. Walter Smith left Goodison Park in March, and Gascoigne left the club shortly after Smith's successor, David Moyes, took charge.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=297}}

George Reynolds made an attempt to bring Gascoigne to Darlington, at that time playing in the Third Division, but talks broke down, and Gascoigne finished the 2001–02 season with Stan Ternent's Burnley.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-set-pieces-blog/2020/nov/16/new-ground-10-unsuccessful-modern-stadium-moves |title=New ground: 10 unsuccessful modern stadium moves |date=16 November 2020 |access-date=24 April 2023 |publisher=Guardian}} Gascoigne made six First Division appearances for Burnley.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/1875304.stm |title=Gascoigne joins Burnley |date=16 March 2002 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}}{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=300}} The club narrowly missed out on the play-offs, and he left Turf Moor after two months.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=301}} In 2002, he was inducted into the National Football Museum, being described as "the most naturally gifted English midfielder of his generation".{{Cite web |url=http://www.nationalfootballmuseum.com/halloffame/paul-gascoigne |title=Paul Gascoigne |publisher=National Football Museum |access-date=5 October 2014}} Fellow England midfielder Paul Ince said that Gascoigne was "the best player I've ever played with ... he had everything. He was amazing."

In the summer of 2002, Gascoigne went on trial with Major League Soccer club D.C. United but rejected a contract.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=302}} First Division club Gillingham also made enquiries, and Gascoigne had an unsuccessful trial with the club.{{cite news |title=Gillingham on the Gazza trail |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/gillingham-on-the-gazza-trail-135232.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/gillingham-on-the-gazza-trail-135232.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=17 October 2019 |work=The Independent |date=8 December 2002 |language=en}} In February 2003, he signed a nine-month contract with China League One club Gansu Tianma in both a playing and coaching role.{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/256052/gascoigne-nets-contract-in-china |title=Gascoigne nets contract in China |date=27 January 2003 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=William |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2395122/Gleeful-Gascoigne-nets-job-in-China.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2395122/Gleeful-Gascoigne-nets-job-in-China.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Gleeful Gascoigne nets job in China |date=28 January 2003 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}} Gascoigne scored in his first match in China,{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/262437 |title=Gazza scores in winning China debut |date=29 March 2003 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=ESPN}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/world_football/2898091.stm |title=Gazza scores on China debut |date=29 March 2003 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}} and in total scored two goals in four league games but his mental state meant that he had to return to the United States for treatment against drink and depression in April,{{cite news |url=http://www.espnfc.com/story/270229/chinese-club-hand-gazza-ultimatum |title=Chinese club hand Gazza ultimatum |date=21 June 2003 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=ESPN}} and he never returned despite the club ordering him to do so.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=316}}

In October 2003, Gascoigne was offered an opportunity to train with Wolverhampton Wanderers.{{cite news |title=Gazza trains with Wolves |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/3197300.stm |access-date=30 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=16 October 2003}} However a month later Wolves rejected the option on providing Gascoigne a contract.{{cite news |title=Wolves reject Gascoigne |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wolverhampton_wanderers/3246946.stm |access-date=30 July 2021 |work=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2003}}

In July 2004, Gascoigne was signed as player-coach by League Two side Boston United,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/3865987.stm |title=Gascoigne joins Boston |date=30 July 2004 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}} and upon signing spoke of his coaching aspirations, saying that "I can become a great coach and a great manager".{{cite news |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11778/2306053/gazza-i-can-be-a-great-coach |title=Gazza: I can be a great coach |date=30 July 2004 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=Sky Sports}} Gascoigne left Boston after he made five appearances in three months, citing professional reasons including his coaching career.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/boston_united/3718344.stm |title=Gascoigne quits Boston |date=5 October 2004 |access-date=7 August 2014 |publisher=BBC}}{{cite news |last=Plummer |first=David |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/06/newsstory.sport4 |title=Gascoigne departs Boston and hangs up his boots |date=6 October 2004 |access-date=7 August 2014 |work=The Guardian}} Former Rangers teammate Graham Roberts made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Gascoigne as a player-coach at Clyde in 2005.{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4106300.stm | title=Clyde still waiting on Gascoigne | work=BBC | date=20 June 2005 | access-date=8 August 2020}}

In August 2014 Gascoigne joined amateur club Abbey in the Bournemouth Sunday league{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28876767|title=Paul Gascoigne: Ex-England star joins Sunday League side|date=13 August 2014|website=bbc sports}}

Gascoigne was called up to the England under-21 side in the summer of 1987 and scored with a free-kick in his debut in a 2–0 win over Morocco.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=68}} He went on to win 12 caps for the under-21s under Dave Sexton.{{cite web |title=Profile |url=http://www.thefa.com/england/all-teams/players/g/paul-gascoigne |website=thefa.com |access-date=5 October 2014}} The team were semi finalists at the UEFA U-21 Euros and finalists at the Toulon Tournament beaten on both occasions by France in 1988.{{cite web | title=England's U21 Matches 1976-1990 | url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU21pg1.html | website=England Football Online | access-date=10 April 2020}}
{{cite web | title=TOULON TRIP BRINGS FOND MEMORIES FOR COACH COLIN COOPER | url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/may/23/colin-cooper-toulon-memories-230516 | website=thefa.com | date=23 May 2016 | access-date=10 April 2020}}

Gascoigne was first called up to the full England squad by Bobby Robson for a friendly against Denmark on 14 September 1988 and came on as a late substitute for Peter Beardsley in a 1–0 win.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=91}} He scored his first goal for England in a 5–0 victory over Albania at Wembley on 26 April 1989.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=96}} He made his first start in the following game against Chile and kept his first team place for most matches in the run in to the 1990 FIFA World Cup.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=97}} He also played four games for the England B team. He secured his place in the World Cup squad in a 4–2 win against Czechoslovakia when he scored one goal and was a key component in the other three.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=100}}

Gascoigne went to the World Cup in Italy, having never started a competitive international.{{cite news | url= https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/world-cup-icons-when-we-all-wept-paul-gascoigne-and-remembered-him-forever-1990 | title= World Cup icons: When we all wept with Paul Gascoigne – and remembered him forever (1990) | work=FourFourTwo | date=11 June 2018 | access-date=2 April 2019 | first=Gary | last=Parkinson}} He played in all three of the group games and England topped Group F, Gascoigne providing the assist for Mark Wright's winner against Egypt.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=107}} In the first knockout game against Belgium, he made another assist after chipping a free-kick into the penalty area, where David Platt volleyed the ball into the net.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=108}} Gascoigne was at the centre of the action again in the quarter-final clash with Cameroon when he gave away a penalty, which Cameroon converted. In extra time, he made a successful through-ball pass from which Gary Lineker won and subsequently scored a penalty, which proved to be the winning goal.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=113}} Referring to the 1990 World Cup, Bryan Robson later commented that Gascoigne was the "best player" he had ever played with, saying that in 1990 he "was challenging Maradona as the best player in the world at that time."{{cite news | url= https://www.skysports.com/football/news/18804/10891514/paul-gascoigne-at-50-fifty-reasons-why-he-was-englands-superstar | title= Paul Gascoigne at 50: Fifty reasons why he was England's superstar | work=Sky Sports | access-date=12 June 2023}}{{cbignore}}

{{Quote box|quote="Before Paul Gascoigne, did anyone ever become a national hero and a dead-cert millionaire by crying? Fabulous. Weep and the world weeps with you."|source=— Salman Rushdie writing in The Independent in 1990.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=121}}|width=35%|align=right}}

{{Quote box|quote="Out of everything in my career, the moment people ask me about most often was when Gazza got booked in that semi-final. I could see his bottom lip was going. I think it says a lot about Bobby that it was him I turned to, to ask him to have a word. I didn't know that the moment would be caught on camera."|source=— Gary Lineker.{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/03/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-gazza-cries-1990 | title= World Cup stunning moments: Gazza cries as England lose at Italia 90| first=Simon| last=Burnton| work=The Guardian | date=22 May 2018 | access-date=5 April 2019}}|width=35%|align=right}}

File:Gazza and Gary Lineker's Spitting Image puppets.jpg. His puppet, which employed projectile tears, is now on display at the National Football Museum.{{cite news |last1=McOwan |first1=Gavin |last2=Windmill |first2=John |title=Manchester's new National Football Museum – in pictures |url=https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2012/jul/06/national-football-museum-manchester-in-pictures |access-date=5 October 2014 |work=The Guardian |date=6 July 2012}}]]

On 4 July 1990, England played West Germany in a World Cup semi-final match at Juventus's Stadio delle Alpi in Turin. Gascoigne, having already received a yellow card during England's 1–0 victory over Belgium in the second round, was booked for a foul on Thomas Berthold, which meant that he would be suspended for the final if England won the match. Television cameras showed that he had tears in his eyes following the yellow card, which made Gascoigne a highly popular figure with the sympathetic British public.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=119}} The match culminated in a penalty shoot-out, which the Germans won after Stuart Pearce and Chris Waddle missed their penalties.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=118}}{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/jun/03/world-cup-25-stunning-moments-gazza-cries-1990 |title=Gazza cries as England lose |date=3 June 2014 |work=Guardian |access-date=2 April 2015}}

Robson quit the England job after the tournament. His successor Graham Taylor dropped Gascoigne in favour of 32-year-old Gordon Cowans in a Euro '92 qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in November 1990, citing tactical reasons.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=183}} He returned to the starting lineup for a friendly against Cameroon the following February before an injury in the FA Cup final three months later caused him to miss the next twenty-one England fixtures, including all of UEFA Euro 1992, where England failed to progress beyond the group stages.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=184}}

Gascoigne returned to fitness in time for the opening qualifying game against Norway in October 1992, and before playing in the 1–1 draw, he responded to a Norwegian television crew's request to say 'a few words to Norway', by saying "fuck off Norway".{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=185}} His message was broadcast on Norwegian television and he was forced to apologise for the remark.{{cite news |last=Lovejoy |first=Joe |title=Gascoigne's Norwegian blue note |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gascoignes-norwegian-blue-note-1556964.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gascoignes-norwegian-blue-note-1556964.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=24 March 2014 |newspaper=The Independent |date=12 October 1992}}{{cite news |title=Paul Gascoigne: a troubled life |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/21/newsstory.sport2 |access-date=5 October 2014 |work=The Guardian |date=21 February 2008}} The following month he scored two goals in a 4–0 victory over Turkey. Qualification ended badly for England, as they ended in third place behind Norway and the Netherlands and missed out on a place in the 1994 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web |title=World Cup 1994 qualifications |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/94qual.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=5 October 2014}}

A broken leg in 1994 meant Gascoigne could not play for 15 months. By the time he returned to fitness, Terry Venables – his former manager at Spurs – had been appointed as England manager.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=207}} As England was hosting UEFA Euro 1996, they did not have to go through the qualification process, so they instead played numerous friendlies, most of which featured Gascoigne in the starting line-up.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=208}} The last of these games was played in Hong Kong, after which numerous England players were photographed on a night out in which Gascoigne and several others having drinks poured into their mouths whilst sitting in the "dentist's chair".{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=210}} The tournament opened with a 1–1 draw with Switzerland, during which Gascoigne was substituted.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=213}} He scored in England's second game of the tournament, against Scotland (where he was playing at club level at the time). Receiving the ball from Darren Anderton outside the Scotland penalty area, he flicked the ball over Colin Hendry with his left foot and changed direction; Hendry was completely wrong-footed and, as the ball dropped, Gascoigne volleyed it with his right foot past Andy Goram to seal a 2–0 victory.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=214}} The goal was followed by the "dentist's chair" celebration referring to the incident before the tournament, where Gascoigne lay on the ground as if he were sitting in the dentist's chair. Teammates sprayed water from Lucozade bottles into his open mouth.{{external media | float = right | width = 35% | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/embed/uNH1b_HAawY Andy Goram on Gascoigne's goal]}} Terry Venables later wrote that "Pelé at his best would not have bettered that movement and finish", calling the goal "a goal of unimpeachable quality, world-class, extraordinary, a wonder to behold".{{cite news | url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/may/10/remembering-euro-96-gazzas-goal-three-lions-and-penalties-england | title= Remembering Euro 96: Gazza's goal, Three Lions ... and penalties | work=The Guardian | access-date=15 June 2023}}{{cbignore}}

England beat the Netherlands 4–1 to make it to the knock-out stages. They then drew 0–0 with Spain before winning 4–2 on penalties, the last of which was converted by Gascoigne.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=215}} England drew 1–1 with Germany in the semi-finals, and Gascoigne missed the chance to win the game in extra time when he came inches away from connecting to an Alan Shearer cross yards in front of an unguarded German net.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=216}} England lost to Germany in the resulting penalty shoot-out, with Gareth Southgate missing England's sudden death penalty. Referring to the 1996 European Championships, Xavi stated that he remembered "the European Championships in England with Gascoigne playing some great matches", calling the experience "spectacular".

{{Quote box|quote="Gazza is no longer a fat, drunken imbecile. He is, in fact, a football genius."|source=— The Daily Mirror editorial entitled "Mr Paul Gascoigne: An Apology" following his solo goal against Scotland in Euro 96.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=217}}|width=35%|align=right}}

Under Glenn Hoddle, Gascoigne was picked regularly and helped England win the Tournoi de France in 1997 ahead of Brazil, France and Italy.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=254}} Qualification for the 1998 FIFA World Cup went down to the last group game against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico, and Gascoigne put in a disciplined and mature performance to help England secure the 0–0 draw that was enough to take them through to the tournament.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=256}} Following qualification, British tabloid newspapers would publish pictures of Gascoigne eating kebabs late at night with his DJ friend Chris Evans. These pictures were published only a week before the final squad was due to be chosen.{{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=101055 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120908080833/http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=101055 |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 September 2012 |title=Turbulent life of football genius Paul Gascoigne |work=Metro |date=21 February 2008 |access-date=21 July 2009 }} The pictures disturbed Hoddle, who elected not to pick Gascoigne in the final squad. After hearing the news, Gascoigne wrecked Hoddle's room in a rage before being restrained.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=259}} Gascoigne, who won 57 caps and scored ten goals, would never play for England again.

Having already gained some coaching experience in China, Gascoigne signed for Boston United on 30 July 2004. After being at the club for 11 games he left (partly as a result of the club refusing to let him participate in the reality television show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!){{cite web |url=http://www.metro.co.uk/fame/article.html?in_article_id=61630 |title=Gazza gets his dancing shoes on |work=Metro |date=15 August 2007 |access-date=21 July 2009}} on 5 October, to begin a football coaching course. After leaving Boston, he stated that he was interested in taking over as manager of Scottish side Greenock Morton,{{cite news |url=http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gazza-has-green-eyes-4636334 |title=Gazza has Green eyes |newspaper=The Journal |date=13 October 2004 |access-date=5 October 2014 |archive-date=24 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024232039/http://www.thejournal.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gazza-has-green-eyes-4636334 |url-status=dead }} but this came to nothing.

In mid-2005, he spent two months as a player-coach for the recently founded Portuguese team Algarve United, but he returned to England after a proposed contract never materialised.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=32}} He was appointed manager of Conference North club Kettering Town on 27 October 2005 and also planned to put in enough money to own one-third of the club to show his commitment.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=36}} Previous manager Kevin Wilson was appointed as director of football, and Paul Davis was appointed as the club's assistant manager.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=37}} Bookmakers put odds on Gascoigne being dismissed before Christmas, though he insisted that he was at the club "for the long haul". Attempts to get new sponsors on board were successful, though results on the pitch soon went against Kettering.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=40}} His tenure lasted just 39 days, and the club's board dismissed him on 5 December. The club's owner, Imraan Ladak, blamed Gascoigne's alcohol problems, stating that he drank almost every day he worked.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/4500388.stm |title=Kettering sack manager Gascoigne |date=5 December 2005 |access-date=21 July 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport}} Gascoigne later claimed that the owner had interfered incessantly and harboured ambitions of being a manager himself, despite knowing little about football.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=75}} He was never on a contract at the club and was never paid for his six weeks' work, nor was he given a chance to invest money in the club as he had first planned.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=78}}

Gascoigne came close to being appointed manager of Garforth Town in October 2010.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/oct/06/paul-gascoigne-garforth-town-warrington |title=Paul Gascoigne absent as Garforth Town face Warrington |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=6 October 2010 |access-date=6 October 2010 |agency=Press Association}} After weeks of talks between his agent and the club, he decided to turn down the offer, though reiterated his desire to return to football management.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Gascogine-39not-done-a-Uturn39.6571167.jp |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505154151/http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/football/Gascogine-39not-done-a-Uturn39.6571167.jp |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=Gascogine 'not done a U-turn' over Garforth |work=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=8 October 2010 |access-date=8 October 2010 }}

File:Paul Gascoigne.jpg in May 2006.]]

At the height of "Gazzamania" following the 1990 World Cup, he reached number 2 in the UK Top 40 with "Fog on the Tyne", a collaborative cover with Lindisfarne that earned him a gold disc.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=126}} He established Paul Gascoigne Promotions. He hired several staff to handle the hundreds of requests from companies wishing to use his likeness and/or endorsement to promote their products.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=124}} He signed an exclusive deal with The Sun, which did not prevent the newspaper from joining its rivals in sensationalising the various scandals he became embroiled in. He promoted two video games: Gazza's Superstar Soccer and Gazza II.

File:Paul Gascoigne Speaking.jpg, 2023]]

In August 2006, he visited Botswana on behalf of the Football Association's international outreach week. He played football with the children from the SOS Children's Village there.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060928233807/http://www.soschildrensvillages.org.uk/charity-news/gazza-botswana.htm Gazza and the FA pay SOS children a visit] SOS Children's Villages, 29 August 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2007. On 25 July 2009, Gascoigne appeared on a Sporting Heroes edition of the BBC television quiz The Weakest Link, where he engaged in banter with host Anne Robinson.{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/a166821/gazza-flirts-with-anne-robinson-on-link.html |title=Gazza flirts with Anne Robinson on 'Link' |work=Digital Spy |date=23 July 2009 |access-date=31 July 2009}} The next day, he played in an England versus Germany charity football match to help raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.{{cite news |title=Newcastle legend Shearer secures victory for Bobby's England |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4513648.Cometh_the_hour__cometh_the_man___/ |access-date=26 March 2014 |newspaper=The Northern Echo |date=27 July 2009}} He took part in the first edition of Soccer Aid in 2006, playing for an England team captained by Robbie Williams.{{cite web |last1=Stiff |first1=Peter |title=Full 'Soccer Aid' teams announced |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a33093/full-soccer-aid-teams-announced.html |website=digitalspy.co.uk |date=16 May 2006 |access-date=5 October 2014}}

In August 2014, Gascoigne began playing amateur football after signing for Bournemouth Sunday League Division Four team Abbey.{{cite news |title=Paul Gascoigne joins Abbey in Bournemouth Sunday League |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28876767 |access-date=21 August 2014}} In 2015, he was the subject of a documentary film called Gascoigne, and in 2022 he was the subject of a two-part documentary series Gazza.

{{Quote box|quote="In my commentating career Paul Gascoigne was the best English player I ever saw. The way he could go past people, his upper body strength, he had the lot. He could score goals, he could head goals, he could pick a pass like no other England player of his generation and very few since. He was just the complete footballer. And it was all natural. It wasn't because of hours of coaching, he just had it."|source=— Former BBC football commentator John Motson.{{cite news | url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/greatest-england-moments/gascoigne-best-player/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/greatest-england-moments/gascoigne-best-player/ |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title= Why Paul Gascoigne was the best England player I commentated on | work=The Daily Telegraph | first=John | last=Motson | date=26 April 2018 | access-date=15 February 2019}}{{cbignore}}|width=25%|align=right}}

A creative and technically gifted playmaker who played as an attacking midfielder, Gascoigne was capable both of scoring and setting up goals, due to his passing accuracy, his powerful striking ability, and heading ability.{{cite web |url=http://en.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/182834.html |title=Paul Gascoigne, England's flawed genius |publisher=ESPN |first=Scott |last=Oliver |date=8 December 2012 |access-date=21 July 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/euro2000/teams/england/799945.stm |title=England miss Gascoigne's passing inspiration |publisher=BBC |date=21 June 2000 |access-date=21 July 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-GascoignePaulJohn.html |title=Gascoigne, Paul John |publisher=World Encyclopedia |access-date=21 July 2015}}{{cite web |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gascoigne-expected-to-overcome-knee-problem-taylors-playmaker-needs-treatment-as-old-injury-1457169.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-gascoigne-expected-to-overcome-knee-problem-taylors-playmaker-needs-treatment-as-old-injury-1457169.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Football: Gascoigne expected to overcome knee problem: Taylor's playmaker needs treatment as old injury flares up but prognosis is positive for World Cup qualifier against Netherlands |work=The Independent |date=23 April 1993 |access-date=18 January 2017}} He had pace, physical strength, balance and excellent dribbling skills, which allowed him to protect the ball, beat opponents and withstand physical challenges.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2010/oct/15/the-joy-of-six-great-dribbles |title=The Joy of Six: Great dribbles |work=The Guardian |first=Scott |last=Murray |date=15 October 2010 |access-date=21 July 2015}} He was also an accurate free kick and penalty kick taker.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1281462.stm |title=The art of the free-kick |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2001 |access-date=1 April 2020 }} FourFourTwo stated: "A central midfielder with Glenn Hoddle's eye for a pass and Bryan Robson's love of a tackle, Gascoigne could be inconsistent and positionally suspect," but added: "Gascoigne was no smoke-and-mirrors showboater: his creativity was crucial in deciding deadlocked matches."

{{Quote box|quote= "He was aggressive, very physical, but at the same time [had] very technical, fantastic characteristics that you need to be a top footballer." |source=— José Mourinho.{{cite news | url= https://www.skysports.com/football/news/18804/10891514/paul-gascoigne-at-50-fifty-reasons-why-he-was-englands-superstar | title= Paul Gascoigne at 50: Fifty reasons why he was England's superstar | work=Sky Sports | access-date=12 June 2023}}{{cbignore}}|width=35%|align=left}}

Gary Lineker described Gascoigne as "the most naturally gifted technical footballer that I played with,"{{cite web | url= https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/gary-lineker-gazza-was-playing-tennis-german-tourists | title= Gary Lineker: "Gazza was playing tennis with German tourists!"| work=FourFourTwo | date=5 October 2017 | access-date=14 March 2019}} who possessed "a sort of impudence" and "great confidence." Lineker added: "You could see he played completely for the love of the game." Steven Gerrard named Gascoigne as his "hero".{{cite web | url= https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11788/11529595/paul-gascoigne-deserves-to-be-in-hall-of-fame-says-rangers-boss-steven-gerrard | title= Paul Gascoigne deserves to be in Hall of Fame, says Rangers boss Steven Gerrard| work=Sky Sports | date=19 October 2018 | access-date=14 March 2019}} Gareth Southgate said: "You've got very good players and then there are top players. In my time in the England setup, Paul Gascoigne, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney just had that little bit more than all the others. And we are talking high‑level people there, players like Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Beckham."{{cite web | url= https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/26/gareth-southgate-wayne-rooney-england | title= Gareth Southgate: Wayne Rooney stood out even among golden generation| first=Paul| last=Wilson| work=The Guardian | date=26 August 2017 | access-date=14 March 2019}} Former Newcastle United player Lee Clark added: "Gazza had everything. He could dribble, take on players, thread defence-splitting passes through the eye of a needle to the strikers and score incredible goals."{{sfnp|Clark|2016|loc=Kindle locations 747–748}}

FourFourTwo described his performances in the 1990 World Cup as being "as close as the English ever got to the sort of bravura brilliance by which Diego Maradona had dragged the Albiceleste to World Cup glory four years earlier." Football writer Brian Glanville said that Gascoigne displayed "a flair, a superlative technique, a tactical sophistication, seldom matched by an England player since the war." Despite his talent, Gascoigne was also criticised for his erratic behaviour and aggression on the pitch. His turbulent and often unhealthy lifestyle off the pitch, and his tendency to pick up injuries, are thought to have affected his career.{{Cite web |url=http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2005/marzo/07/Rooney_dimentica_parolacce_scatena_rabbia_co_9_050307118.shtml |title=Rooney dimentica le parolacce E scatena la rabbia su San Siro |first=Filippo Maria |last=Ricci |date=7 March 2005 |publisher=Il Corriere della Sera |language=it |trans-title=Rooney forget the curse words and unleash your anger at San Siro |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105020453/http://archiviostorico.corriere.it/2005/marzo/07/Rooney_dimentica_parolacce_scatena_rabbia_co_9_050307118.shtml |archive-date=5 January 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=21 July 2015}}

Gascoigne married his long-time girlfriend Sheryl Failes in Thundridge, Hertfordshire, in July 1996, after they had been together for around six years.{{cite news |url=http://www.itnsource.com/shotlist//RTV/1996/07/01/606020006/?s=gascoigne |title=England Soccer Star Paul Gascoigne Marries |agency=Reuters |date=1 July 1996 |access-date=5 October 2014}} He later admitted to violence towards Sheryl during their marriage.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2004|p=223}} They divorced in early 1999.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/271848.stm |title=Gazza in '£1m divorce deal' |date=4 February 1999 |work=BBC News}} In 2009, Sheryl published a tell-all book entitled Stronger: My Life Surviving Gazza.{{cite news |title=Sheryl Gascoigne in News of the World libel win |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8668306.stm |access-date=24 March 2014 |work=BBC News |date=7 May 2010}} Gascoigne had a son, Regan, with Sheryl and also adopted Sheryl's two children from her first marriage, Mason and Bianca. Bianca is a glamour model and television personality, and appeared on reality TV show Love Island.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/feb/24/sport.comment |title=Likely lad of too many own goals |work=The Observer |date=24 February 2008 |last=Corbett |first=James |location=London}}

During the 1990s, Gascoigne, Danny Baker and Chris Evans had a much-publicised friendship, and Gascoigne frequently appeared on their radio and television shows on Talksport and TFI Friday.{{cite news |title=Gazza enjoys a night of 'a couple of halves' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/96087.stm |access-date=5 October 2014 |work=BBC News |date=18 May 1999}}{{cite news |title=Entertainment Baker booted by Talk Radio |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/259822.stm |access-date=5 October 2014 |work=BBC News |date=21 January 1999}}

In October 2004, Gascoigne announced that he wanted to be referred to as G8, a combination of the first letter of his surname and the number he wore on his football shirt because it "stands for great".{{cite news |title=Gazza's new name strikes it rich |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3761696.stm |access-date=8 January 2021 |work=BBC News |date=21 October 2004}}{{cite news |title=Gazza's G8 new image |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/oct/21/newsstory.sport8 |access-date=8 January 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=21 October 2004}}

In November 2008, Gascoigne faced a bankruptcy petition over a £200,000 tax bill, having not filed any tax returns for more than two years.{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/paul-gascoigne-owes-taxman-pound-200-000-1.894094 |title=Paul Gascoigne owes taxman £200,000 |work=The Herald |location=Glasgow |date=6 November 2008 |access-date=9 May 2013}} On 25 May 2011, he avoided being declared bankrupt by the High Court in London, despite still owing £32,000.{{cite web |url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/gazza-bankruptcy-case-dismissed-28620508.html |title=Gazza bankruptcy case dismissed |work=The Belfast Telegraph |date=25 May 2011 |access-date=9 May 2013}}

Gascoigne has three autobiographies: Gazza: My Story (with Hunter Davies), published in 2004, Being Gazza: Tackling My Demons (with Hunter Davies and John McKeown), published in 2006; and Glorious: My World, Football and Me, published in 2011. In Gazza: My Story, and in Being Gazza: Tackling My Demons, he refers to treatment for bulimia, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder{{Cite web|url=http://www.adders.org.uk/news66.htm|title=ADD/ADHD News - Give Gazza A Break|website=www.adders.org.uk}} and alcoholism.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/paul-gascoigne-what-gazza-did-next-416436.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/paul-gascoigne-what-gazza-did-next-416436.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Paul Gascoigne: what Gazza did next |work=The Independent |location=London |date=18 September 2006 |access-date=21 July 2009}} The books also describe his addictive personality, which has led him to develop addictions of varying severity to alcohol, cocaine, chain smoking, gambling, high-caffeine energy drinks, exercise, and junk food.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=12}} He lives in Poole, Dorset.{{cite news|url=http://www.dorset.live/news/dorset-news/paul-gascoignes-quiet-life-poole-7131148|last=Edgar-Spier|first=Melanie|title=Paul Gascoigne's quiet life in Poole and the leafy suburb he calls home|newspaper=Daily Echo|location=Bournemouth|date=4 June 2022|accessdate=8 January 2023}}

File:Gascoigne, Paul.jpg convention, Birmingham, April 2006.]]

Gascoigne first entered therapy sessions in October 1998 when he was admitted into Priory Hospital after a drinking session where he drank 32 shots of whisky, which left him at "rock bottom"; then-manager Bryan Robson signed him into the clinic whilst Gascoigne was unconscious.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=19}} He was released, at his own insistence, two weeks into the suggested minimum stay of 28 days.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=24}} His subsequent visits to the Priory became more infrequent, and he eventually returned to drinking alcohol.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=25}} In 2001, Everton's then-chairman Bill Kenwright contacted Gascoigne's therapist at the Priory, John McKeown, who organised more treatment to help Gascoigne to control his drinking.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=27}} As part of the treatment he was sent to the United States where he had a stay at a clinic in Cottonwood, Arizona. He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=26}} He stayed at the clinic in 2003 after he suffered low points working in China, and again in 2004 after retiring from football.{{harvnb|Gascoigne|2006|p=28}}

In February 2008, he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act after an incident at the Malmaison Hotel in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was taken into protective custody to prevent self-harm.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/7256761.stm |title=Gazza held after hotel incident |date=21 February 2008 |access-date=22 May 2010 |work=BBC News}} He was sectioned again in June, and in September he was hospitalised after he overdosed on alcohol and other drugs in an apparent suicide attempt.{{cite news |last1=Wynne-Jones |first1=Jonathan |title=Paul Gascoigne rushed to hospital after 'overdose' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2908576/Paul-Gascoigne-rushed-to-hospital-after-overdose.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2908576/Paul-Gascoigne-rushed-to-hospital-after-overdose.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2014 |work=The Telegraph |date=13 September 2008}}{{cbignore}}

Gascoigne was arrested for a disturbance outside a takeaway in February 2010. The following month, he was charged with drink driving, driving without a licence, and driving without insurance.{{cite news |title=Paul Gascoigne charged with drink-driving |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/8592771.stm |access-date=26 October 2014 |work=BBC News |date=29 March 2010}} On 9 July 2010 Gascoigne appeared at the scene of the tense stand-off between the police and the fugitive Raoul Moat, claiming to be Moat's brother and stating that he had brought him "a can of lager, some chicken, a fishing rod, a Newcastle shirt and a dressing gown". He was denied access to Moat.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7882762/Raoul-Moat-Gazza-arrives-in-Rothbury-to-offer-his-support.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7882762/Raoul-Moat-Gazza-arrives-in-Rothbury-to-offer-his-support.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Raoul Moat: Gazza arrives in Rothbury to 'offer his support'|work=The Daily Telegraph|first=Nick|last=Collins|date=9 July 2010}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|last=Saul|first=Heather|title=Paul Gascoigne tried to help Raoul Moat after convincing himself they were brothers during cocaine binge|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/paul-gascoigne-tried-to-help-raoul-moat-after-convincing-himself-they-were-brothers-during-cocaine-a6755486.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/paul-gascoigne-tried-to-help-raoul-moat-after-convincing-himself-they-were-brothers-during-cocaine-a6755486.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| access-date=6 June 2020 |newspaper=The Independent |date=20 April 2016}} In August 2011, Gascoigne sued The Sun, claiming that its coverage of him during the Raoul Moat incident interrupted his treatment for alcoholism.{{Cite web |url=http://www.pressgazette.co.uk/gazza-sues-the-sun-over-raoul-moat-rehab-story/ |title=Gazza sues The Sun over Raoul Moat rehab story |date=20 September 2013 |website=Press Gazette |access-date=29 September 2013}}

In October 2010, Gascoigne was arrested for drink driving. He subsequently admitted being more than four times over the limit at Newcastle upon Tyne Magistrates Court.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-11584520 |title=Jail warning for Gazza for drink driving |date=20 October 2010 |work=BBC News}} One day after being warned he could face a prison sentence for drink driving, Gascoigne was arrested for possession of cocaine.{{cite news |last1=Roberts |first1=Laura |title=Paul Gascoigne arrested one day after being warned he faces prison |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8079795/Paul-Gascoigne-arrested-one-day-after-being-warned-he-faces-prison.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8079795/Paul-Gascoigne-arrested-one-day-after-being-warned-he-faces-prison.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2014 |work=The Telegraph |date=22 October 2010}}{{cbignore}} He should have appeared in court on 11 November to be sentenced for the drink driving offence. Instead he went into rehab on the south coast of England and was given an eight-week suspended sentence.{{cite web |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2010/11/12/paul-gascoigne-admitted-into-rehab-72703-27647038/ |title=Paul Gascoigne admitted into rehab |publisher=Chronicle Live |date=12 November 2010 |access-date=9 May 2013}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-11954284 |title=Paul Gascoigne given suspended drink-driving sentence |work=BBC News |date=9 December 2010 |access-date=9 May 2013}}

In February 2013, his agent, Terry Baker, told BBC Radio 5 Live that Gascoigne had relapsed again: "He won't thank me for saying it but he immediately needs to get help ... His life is always in danger because he is an alcoholic. Maybe no one can save him – I don't know. I really don't know".{{cite news |title=Paul Gascoigne needs immediate help, says his agent |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21311843 |access-date=3 February 2013 |work=BBC News |date=3 February 2013}} Gascoigne was placed in intensive care in a U.S. hospital while being treated for alcoholism in Arizona in a rehabilitation programme thanks to financial support provided by ex-cricketer Ronnie Irani and broadcaster Chris Evans.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21401141 |title=Paul Gascoigne recovering after spell in intensive care |publisher=BBC Sport |date=11 February 2013 |access-date=9 May 2013}} He was arrested for assaulting a railway security guard and being drunk and disorderly at Stevenage railway station on 4 July 2013; he was fined £1,000 after admitting the offence, and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the guard.{{cite news |title=Paul Gascoigne fined for Stevenage railway station assault |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-23574371 |access-date=26 October 2014 |work=BBC News |date=5 August 2013}}

In January 2014, Gascoigne entered rehab for his alcohol addiction for a seventh time at a £6,000-a-month clinic in Southampton.{{cite news |last=Selby |first=Jenn |title=Paul Gascoigne back in rehab for alcohol addiction |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/paul-gascoigne-back-in-rehab-for-alcohol-addiction-9087442.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/paul-gascoigne-back-in-rehab-for-alcohol-addiction-9087442.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=23 March 2014 |newspaper=The Independent |date=27 January 2014}} In August, he was again admitted to hospital in relation to his problems following an incident outside his home.{{cite news |last=Gardner |first=Bill |title=Paul Gascoigne 'in hospital' after being found drunk outside his home |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11050108/Paul-Gascoigne-in-hospital-after-being-found-drunk-outside-his-home.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/11050108/Paul-Gascoigne-in-hospital-after-being-found-drunk-outside-his-home.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2014 |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |date=22 August 2014}}{{cbignore}} On 23 October 2014, police were called to his home in Poole after he was in a drink binge; he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act the next day and taken to a hospital for a three-day detox.{{cite news |title=Gazza 'sectioned under Mental Health Act' |url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/gazza-sectioned-under-mental-health-act-647629.html |access-date=26 October 2014 |work=Irish Examiner |date=25 October 2014}}

In October 2015, he was fined and made the subject of a restraining order for harassing an ex-girlfriend and assaulting a photographer.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34665667 |title=Gascoigne fined over harassment |date=29 October 2015 |work=BBC News |access-date=21 October 2017}} In September 2016, Gascoigne admitted using "threatening or abusive words or behaviour" and was fined £1,000 after telling a racist joke in November 2015 and racially abusing his black bodyguard.{{cite news |last=Morris |first=Steven |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/sep/19/paul-gascoigne-pleads-guilty-to-racially-aggravated-offence |title=Paul Gascoigne admits racially abusing black bodyguard |work=The Guardian |date=19 September 2016 |access-date=5 January 2017}}{{cite news |title=Paul Gascoigne guilty over racist comment |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-37406549 |access-date=26 January 2017 |work=BBC News |date=19 September 2016}} On 27 December 2016, Gascoigne was hospitalised with head injuries including broken teeth after being kicked in the back and falling down stairs in a London hotel. His assailant was jailed for 23 weeks and ordered to pay £7,800 compensation.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/dec/28/paul-gascoigne-former-footballer-hospital-east-london |title=Paul Gascoigne 'taken to hospital after drunken brawl' |work=The Guardian |agency=Press Association |date=28 December 2016 |access-date=6 January 2017}}

On 6 January 2017, a spokesman for Gascoigne confirmed that he had entered a rehabilitation centre in a serious effort to stay "alcohol-free" in 2017.{{cite news |url=http://news.sky.com/story/paul-gascoigne-in-rehab-to-stay-alcohol-free-for-2017-after-suffering-fractured-skull-10719488 |title=Paul Gascoigne in rehab to stay alcohol free for 2017 after suffering fractured skull |publisher=Sky News |date=6 January 2017 |access-date=6 January 2017}} On 20 August 2018, Gascoigne was arrested at Durham railway station by British Transport Police for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman on a train.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-46261574 |title=Paul Gascoigne charged with sex assault on Durham train |work=BBC News |date=19 November 2018 |access-date=19 November 2018}} In November 2018, he was charged with sexual assault. The case came to trial at Teesside Crown Court in October 2019, where he was cleared of sexual assault after he called the complainant a "fat lass" and told the court he had only given her a "peck on the lips" to "boost her confidence" and that there was no sexual intention.{{cite news |title=Gascoigne cleared of sex assault on passenger |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50068077 |access-date=17 October 2019 |work=BBC Sport |date=17 October 2019}}

Gascoigne's mobile telephone was repeatedly hacked by Mirror Group Newspapers (MGN), the publishers of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror and The People newspapers. In a 2015 court appearance, Gascoigne said that the hacking of his phone led to him developing severe paranoia and alcoholism.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/11/paul-gascoigne-says-mirror-phone-hacking-drove-him-to-severe-paranoia|title=Paul Gascoigne says Mirror phone hacking drove him to severe paranoia|author=Josh Halliday|date=11 March 2015|work=The Guardian|accessdate=9 April 2022}} Gascoigne described the hacking as " ... just horrendous. And people can't understand why I became an alcoholic". At the time of the hacking, Gascoigne's therapist had attributed his belief in the hacking to paranoia. Gascoigne said " ... I'd like to trade my mobile in for a coffin because those guys have ruined my life. Left me in a state". From 2000 to 2010, 18 articles were published because his phone was hacked in the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, and The People newspapers. Gascoigne had alcoholism during this period and contemplated suicide. Gascoigne received £188,250 in damages from Mirror Group Newspapers in 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-32825751|title=Phone hacking: Celebrities win damages from Mirror Group|date=21 May 2015|work=BBC News|accessdate=9 April 2022}}

:Scores and results list England's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gascoigne goal

Newcastle United Youth

• FA Youth Cup: 1984–85

Tottenham Hotspur

• FA Cup: 1990–91

Rangers

• Scottish Premier Division: 1995–96, 1996–97
• Scottish Cup: 1995–96
• Scottish League Cup: 1996–97

Middlesbrough

• Football League Cup runner-up: 1997–98

England

• Tournoi de France: 1997{{cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Paul |last2=Lacey |first2=David |name-list-style=amp |date=25 Jun 2013 |title=From the Vault: Recalling How England Won Le Tournoi de France in 1997 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/jun/25/vault-england-le-tournoi-france-1997 |website=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=3 December 2022}}

Individual

• PFA Young Player of the Year: 1987–88
• PFA Team of the Year: 1987–88 First Division, 1990–91 First Division
• Newcastle United Player of the Year: 1987–88{{cite web|url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/joelinton-scoops-newcastle-united-player-of-the-year-award/ |title=Joelinton scoops Newcastle United Player of the Year award |author=Rory Mitchinson |website=Newcastle United F.C. |date=16 May 2022 |access-date=19 October 2023}}
• Barclays Young Eagle: 1988{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/newcastle-united-player-paul-gascoigne-receives-his-news-photo/1404057945|title=Paul Gascoigne: Barclays Young Eagle Award|website=Getty Images.com}}
• Ballon d'Or 1990: Fourth place{{cite web | url = https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/europa-poy90.html | title = European Footballer of the Year ("Ballon d'Or") 1990 | date = 26 March 2005 | access-date = 11 December 2024 | first = José Luis | website = RSSSF | last = Pierrend}}
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 1990{{cite web |url=https://football.sporting99.com/fifa-world-cup-all-star-team.html|title=FIFA World Cup All-Star Team|publisher=Football.Sporting99|access-date=11 December 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.squawka.com/en/italia-90-all-star-team-gascoigne-maradona-best-young-player/|title=What happened next? The Italia 90 World Cup ‘All-star’ team & best young player|date=11 April 2020|publisher=Smith, John|access-date=11 December 2024}}
• BBC Sports Personality of the Year: 1990
• Tottenham Hotspur Player of the Year: 1990{{cite web |url=https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/history/legends/paul-gascoigne/|title=Paul Gascoigne Profile & Career Statistics |publisher=Tottenhamhotspur.com|access-date=31 March 2025}}
• EFL Cup top scorer: 1990–91{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/goalgetter/eng-league-cup-1990-1991/|title=English League Cup Statistics |date=24 September 2024 |publisher=WorldFootball.net|access-date=11 October 2024}}
• BBC Goal of the Season: 1990–91
• PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year: 1995–96
• SFWA Footballer of the Year: 1995–96
• SPFA Goal of the Season: 1995–96{{ cite web | url = https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0005569/19960430/674/0040?browse=False | title = It's Gazza again | newspaper = Shropshire Star | date = 30 April 1996 | access-date = 5 May 2023 | url-access=subscription | via=British Newspaper Archive}}
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 1996{{cite web |title=European Championships – UEFA Teams of Tournament |url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/euro-uefatot.html |website=RSSSF |access-date=5 October 2014}}
• English Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 2002
• Rangers Hall of Fame Inductee: 2006 {{cite web |title=Profile |url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/item/599-paul-gascoigne |publisher=rangers.co.uk |access-date=26 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140326151111/http://www.rangers.co.uk/club/history/hall-of-fame/item/599-paul-gascoigne|archive-date=26 March 2014|url-status=dead }}

• {{Citation |last1=Charlton |first1=Jack |first2=Peter |last2=Byrne |title=The Autobiography |publisher=Partridge Press |year=1996 |isbn=1-85225-256-1 |ref={{harvid|Charlton|1996}} |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/autobiography0000char }}
• {{cite book | last = Clark | first = Lee| title = Black or White No Grey Areas | publisher = Mojo Risin' Publishing | year = 2016| location = Newcastle| language = en| isbn = 9780993442452}}
• {{cite book | last = Ferris | first = Paul| title = The Boy on the Shed | publisher = Hodder & Stoughton | year = 2018| location = United Kingdom| language = en| isbn = 9781473666726}}
• {{Cite book |first1=Paul |last1=Gascoigne |first2=Hunter |last2=Davies |author2-link=Hunter Davies |year=2004 |title=Gazza: My Story |publisher=Headline Publishing |location=London |isbn=0-7472-7118-6 |ref={{harvid|Gascoigne|2004}} |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/gazzamystory0000gasc }}
• {{Cite book |first1=Paul |last1=Gascoigne |first2=John |last2=McKeown |first3=Hunter |last3=Davies |year=2006 |title=Being Gazza: Tackling My Demons |publisher=Headline Publishing |location=London |isbn=0-7553-1542-1 |ref={{harvid|Gascoigne|2006}}}}
• {{cite book | last = Gascoigne| first = Paul| title = Gazza: My Story| publisher = Hachette| year = 2014| location = United Kingdom| language =en | isbn = 9781472220639}}
• {{cite book | last = Jones| first = Vinnie | title = It's Been Emotional

| publisher =Simon and Schuster | date = 26 September 2013| location = United Kingdom | language = en | isbn = 9781471127601}}

• {{cite web | url = https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/gazza-untold-stories-need-know-tales-launched-a-legend-0| title = Gazza, the untold stories: the need-to-know tales that launched a legend| last = Fourfourtwo staff| date = 17 April 2018| website = fourfourtwo| access-date = 24 July 2019| ref = {{harvid|Fourfourtwo staff|2018}}}}
• {{cite web | url = https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/gennaro-gattuso-he-was-really-breaking-my-balls-so-i-lost-my-temper-and-stuck-a-fork-his | title = Gennaro Gattuso, Blue Ranger | last = Gattuso | first =Gennaro | date = 5 April 2018| website = fourfourtwo| access-date = 15 March 2020}}
• {{cite web | url = http://www.adders.org.uk/news66.htm | title = Gazza adhd }}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• [https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-club/history/legends/paul-gascoigne/ Profile] at the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. website
• {{FIFA player}}
• {{UEFA player}}
• {{Englandstats}}

{{Navboxes

| title = England squads

| bg = white

| fg = #CF081F

| bordercolor = #0B0B3F

| list1 =

{{England squad 1990 FIFA World Cup}}

{{England squad UEFA Euro 1996}}

}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Awards

| bg = Gold

| fg = Navy

| list1 =

{{1987–88 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}

{{1990–91 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}

{{1990 FIFA World Cup Team of the Tournament}}

{{UEFA Euro 1996 Team of the Tournament}}

{{Goal of the Season}}

{{PFA Young Player of the Year}}

{{Newcastle United F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{Tottenham Hotspur F.C. Player of the Year}}

{{BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners}}

{{SFWA Footballer of the Year}}

{{SPFA Players' Player of the Year}}

{{Football League 100 Legends}}

{{Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame}}

{{English Football Hall of Fame}}

}}

{{Kettering Town F.C. managers}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gascoigne, Paul}}

Category:1967 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from Gateshead

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:English men's footballers

Category:England men's under-21 international footballers

Category:England men's B international footballers

Category:England men's international footballers

Category:English people of Irish descent

Category:Newcastle United F.C. players

Category:Tottenham Hotspur F.C. players

Category:English expatriate men's footballers

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:SS Lazio players

Category:Rangers F.C. players

Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players

Category:Everton F.C. players

Category:Burnley F.C. players

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in China

Category:English expatriate sportspeople in China

Category:Dongguan Dongcheng F.C. players

Category:Boston United F.C. players

Category:English Football League players

Category:English Sunday league players

Category:Serie A players

Category:Scottish Football League players

Category:Premier League players

Category:1990 FIFA World Cup players

Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players

Category:BBC Sports Personality of the Year winners

Category:English Football Hall of Fame inductees

Category:English football managers

Category:Kettering Town F.C. managers

Category:National League (English football) managers

Category:People with bipolar disorder

Category:People with obsessive–compulsive disorder

Category:English autobiographers

Category:English male non-fiction writers

Category:English football coaches

Category:British sportspeople convicted of crimes

Category:People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Category:English people convicted of assault

Category:People convicted of harassment

Category:People convicted of racial hatred offences