We all remember Baden-Baden, albeit for reasons that have nothing to do with its breathtaking Black Forest views, centuries old architecture and proud placement as a transnational World Heritage Site.
Indeed, for three short weeks in the summer of 2006 it provided the backdrop for an altogether different sight as World Cup fever swept into town and the wives and girlfriends of our very own Three Lions made the most of its bars, restaurants and lavish resorts.
Led by Victoria Beckham and strengthened by a supporting cast that included Coleen Rooney, Cheryl Tweedy and Steven Gerrard’s future wife, Alex Curran, the WAGs ran riot in the sleepy spa town, much to the chagrin of perplexed locals.
But the woman who claims joint responsibility for turning three random letters into an enduring acronym was curiously absent as they watched England labour to the World Cup quarter-finals under the stewardship of outgoing manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.
Collaborating with relaunched lads mag Loaded for a raunchy new photoshoot, Lizzie Cundy – the ex-wife of former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Jason Cundy – says she and Sven devised the term WAG as a clever strategy to shift media scrutiny away from his underperforming players.
‘As I said, I don’t mind the term “WAG.” I, in fact, helped invent it with Sven Eriksson before the World Cup in 2006,’ Lizzie, 57, recalled.
Lizzie Cundy has claimed responsibility for coining the term ‘WAG’ with late England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson ahead of the 2006 World Cup in Germany
(L-R) Cheryl Tweedy, Coleen Rooney, Victoria Beckham, Coleen’s mother Colette McLaughlin and a young Romeo Beckham watch England play Trinidad & Tobago at the 2006 World Cup
‘I could just see the press were interested in the wives and girlfriends. And I thought, “You know what, we need to do something with this because everyone’s interested in them and not really about the football.”
‘So, in my way, I found out where Sven was. My friend introduced me, and I gave him the idea. I said, “Look, let me come out to the World Cup. I will take the focus off your players who are known for getting up to no good, especially when they’re away.”
‘And I said, “Look, I’ll take the focus off them and I’ll help give the press attention to the wives and girlfriends.”’
She added: ‘Sven loved the idea, and that led to the term “WAG,” which I then went on to use for everything.’
The term has since been used to unify the wives, girlfriends and fiancée’s of professional footballers across the world, and Lizzie unashamedly admits her own status as the wife of a retired footballer enabled her to ‘think smart’ and ‘milk it’ for all it was worth.
She said: ‘I did a book. I even did a musical called WAG the Musical. I talk on many football issues. I actually adore football; I love Chelsea. But I was kind of the spokesperson for many of the footballers and many of the footballers’ wives.
‘Sadly, footballers were getting on the front of the papers instead of the back of the papers. And they seem to always come to me to help with the media. And I kind of became queen of the WAGs for the media world.
‘Many of the footballers’ wives I know don’t like the term, but they’ve still made a living out of it. But I really did; I really milked it. I went for it. Some may say, “Oh that’s a bit desperate?” But no, I call it clever.”
Collaborating with relaunched lads mag Loaded for a raunchy new photoshoot, Lizzie says she and Sven devised the term WAG as a clever strategy to shift media scrutiny away from his underperforming players
The TV and radio personality unashamedly admits her own status as the wife of a retired footballer enabled her to ‘think smart’ and ‘milk it’ for all it was worth
Football royalty aside, Lizzie claims she’s still bruised by her former association with the real thing after developing an unlikely friendship with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, then a relatively unknown actress.
‘I’ve been outspoken about Meghan, because I knew her before she met Harry. I helped her get into the circle she wanted to get into,’ she said.
‘She wanted a British boyfriend, and I met her. We got on instantly. She was a real girl’s girl, and I wanted to help her. I know the London scene like the back of my hand and knew the right people for her to be introduced to. And I wanted to help Meghan.’
But Lizzie says she was stunned when the Suits star turned her back on her after embarking on a relationship with Prince Harry.
She added: ‘I like Meghan, so I was kind of shocked when she ghosted me, as she did others like Piers Morgan and many others who helped her.
‘But I was just so chuffed for her. She really won the lottery when she met Harry, and I really hoped and prayed she’d be like the next Princess Diana.
The WAG poses in a Karen Millen swimsuit as part of a raunchy new spread for Loaded
Lizzie claims she’s still bruised by her former association with Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, but is open to reconciliation after the US based Royal ‘ghosted’ her
‘And I have been vocal about her; I haven’t liked the way she’s spoken about the Royal Family, especially just before our late Queen passed away. And I didn’t like the way she treated the British public, because actually we did love her.
‘We did welcome her with open arms. And I just think it’s very sad the way it’s all turned out for Meghan.’
Despite everything, Lizzie insists the proverbial door is always open for Meghan, should the US based Royal ever wish to rekindle their friendship.
She said: ‘I’m always there on the end of the phone for her if she fancies reuniting the friendship, shall we say.’
The latest issue of Loaded is out now.
Meghan was a jobbing actress when she first met Lizzie, long before embarking on a romance with Prince Harry (pictured in 2012)
‘I’m always there on the end of the phone for her if she fancies reuniting the friendship, shall we say’
