England boss Carsley pleased to get out of ‘awkward’ encounter with comfortable win over Ireland
Lee Carsley, Interim England Manager takes a seat in the Republic of Ireland area, he was asked politely to change prior to the UEFA Nations League game between the Republic of Ireland and England Credit: Conor Ryan (ETPhotos)
Sitting on the Republic of Ireland bench before kick-off was as awkward as it got for England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, who saw his side ease to a comfortable 0-2 win at the Aviva Stadium.
Carsley was an accomplished performer on the Lansdowne Road turf during his 40 Irish caps, and perhaps old feelings came flooding back as he mistakenly headed for the home bench before being ushered to his rightful place.
“I came out and turned right. I wasn’t on the bench a lot, but yeah, a strange start,” said the former Irish international, who remained tight-lipped during ‘God Save the King’, which was resoundingly booed by the Ireland fans.
Carsley wasn’t the only former Irish international on show at the Aviva, with three-time capped Declan Rice and former U21 star Jack Grealish receiving the lion’s share of the stick on their return to Dublin, which they both marked with a goal.
“Both the players took their goals very well. They were accomplished finishes, and they can add more goals to their game. They were very respectful with their celebrations. I was happy for them,” said Carsley.
“It was always going to be a little awkward, with the history I have of playing for Ireland. But everyone we came across in the last two days was very respectful, and we saw it with Jack and Declan. They got stick, but it was done in the right manner.”
Carsley, making his bow as interim manager of England, was very satisfied with his side’s performance but also gave a nod of appreciation to his former country, who had their first outing under new manager Heimir Hallgrímsson.
“It felt good, a game I’ve been thinking a lot about. We prepared well in the four days. I was impressed with Ireland at times, and they should take a lot of credit for their performance, but it was difficult with the two goals.”
England are clearly a class above League B of the Nations League, having been beaten in back-to-back European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate, but Carsley doesn’t believe performances like today will aid or hinder his chances of landing the job full-time.
“I don’t think so. My objectives are really clear. Two more camps to go, and that’s my focus – not looking at my job in the future. There’s a lot of potential in that dressing room, and I hope they can fulfil that.”
The early indications for England under Carsley are that they may play more free-flowing football than was seen under Southgate.
Grealish wasn’t selected for EURO 2024, while Southgate has rarely taken a fancy to Trent Alexander-Arnold or Anthony Gordon, but Grealish and Alexander-Arnold, in particular, looked a cut above the rest.
“Jack and Trent Alexander-Arnold – it’s not a gamble with those two. They’re excellent players, and we have to see them as the target now to win a major tournament. The talent we have here, and not here, should get them excited about the future.”
The 2-0 scoreline did not flatter England, who could have doubled or even tripled their advantage had it not been for some excellent saves from Caoimhín Kelleher.
“He is an excellent goalkeeper. I’ve watched him a lot, and he has a massive future in the game. We’ve had good ones in the past with Shay, but he is in good company today,” said Carsley.
Read the full match report of Ireland 0 - 2 England
