Former England striker Paul Gascoigne has pointed to a regimented camp environment as the reason for the side's demise.
England were handed their worst ever World Cup defeat, losing 4-1 to a young German side.
Gascoigne, who famously wept after being booked in England's semi-final clash against West Germany in 1990, blamed the strict rules imposed by Fabio Capello as the reason for England's poor performance in South Africa.
In comments reported by the Daily Mail, he said: "I don't know if it's the manager's fault or the players' fault, but I don't think the team have enjoyed themselves in this World Cup. You can't let heads go down off the pitch.
"You've got to be able to play table tennis, laze by the pool and have banter with your mates. It has a massive impact on your performance.
"When you're away from home for so long it's important to enjoy yourself."
However Gascoigne sided with the coach's policy on keeping the wives and girlfriends away from the team.
"In Turin the partners came out and we lost against Germany. I've always thought perhaps they should have stayed away."
Finally, the 42-year-old blasted the Uruguayan match official who denied England a goal when they were 2-1 down in the first half.
"I'm devastated for the lads, being knocked out at this stage. Leaving the World Cup is the worst feeling in the world and I know the pain inside each of the England players.
"That was clearly a goal. I reckon it would have made all the difference for England mentally. It could have changed things a lot because England were in fighting form and played some amazing football.
"Knowing such a clear goal had been disallowed probably affected them to some extent.
"But that's the World Cup for you. You have to pick yourself up and play on. On this occasion the lads didn't do it."
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