Lee Carsley hands over in style to England’s new boss Thomas Tuchel after 5-0 win
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Englands Harry Kane celebrates after he scores the 1-0 goal from the penalty spot during the Uefs Nations League match in London.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
LONDON – England’s interim manager Lee Carsley will provide Thomas Tuchel a detailed handover note after ending his brief tenure on a high with a 5-0 hammering of Ireland on Nov 17.
The win ensured England return to the top tier of the Nations League, with Carsley winning five of his six games since stepping up from the Under-21s following Gareth Southgate’s decision to stand down after Euro 2024.
Defeat at home by Greece aside, Carsley has impressed England’s top brass. In his six games at the helm, he gave eight players their senior international debuts.
With a host of regulars such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden unavailable for his last two games in charge, Carsley gave opportunities to several players whom he believes can be part of Tuchel’s plans for the World Cup qualification campaign.
“We’ll debrief the three camps we’ve had, not just this camp. I’ll put together a document and then, hopefully, go meet (Tuchel) and present what we think and what we found,” said Carsley, who will return to his role with the U-21s.
“The job is for us to support the senior manager as much as we can, find out what he needs and how we can help. I’m looking forward to meeting him in the next few weeks.”
Carsley gave debuts to Curtis Jones, Lewis Hall and Morgan Rogers in the 3-0 win in Greece on Nov 14. Three days later, Tino Livramento and Taylor Harwood-Bellis earned their first caps, with the latter marking the occasion with a goal after coming on as a substitute in the second half.
Former Ireland star Roy Keane joked that Harwood-Bellis’ goal had put the Southampton defender’s wedding to his daughter in jeopardy. With his tongue firmly in his cheek, ex-Manchester United midfielder Keane said the nuptials were no longer certain to go ahead.
“It’s bittersweet for me this. It is not done and dusted yet. Things can change very quickly in the Keane household, let me tell you,” Keane said.
The game changed shortly after the interval when Liam Scales brought down Jude Bellingham after a fine pass from Harry Kane, conceding a penalty and being sent off for a second bookable offence.
Kane stepped up to slot his spot kick past Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.
England doubled their lead in the 56th minute, as Livramento’s deflected cross found its way to his Newcastle United teammate Anthony Gordon, who volleyed home his first international goal.
Carsley’s side scored their third goal in five minutes at Wembley, after Conor Gallagher stabbed in a Marc Guehi flick-on from a corner to also net for the first time for his country.
Jarrod Bowen joined the party, sweeping home his first England goal with his first touch just seconds after coming on as a substitute before Harwood-Bellis added the gloss late on.
“The mentality that they showed to gain promotion from the Nations League, that potentially increases the pool of players that Thomas has got to choose from,” Carsley said.
“The challenge now for the players that have been involved for the last three camps is to be in around the March squad. A lot of them have done themselves a lot of good in terms of enhancing their reputations.”
Former Everton midfielder Carsley has also done his credentials no harm and received a glowing report from the Football Association’s chief executive Mark Bullingham.
“Lee has achieved the main objective from the six fixtures this autumn: Securing promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League,” he said.
“He has selected some exciting new players and will be providing Thomas Tuchel and Anthony Barry (coach) with a very detailed handover as they start work on our qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
“The players have really enjoyed working with Lee and his team – they have made a real impact in their interim roles.”
Meanwhile, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson was furious with his team’s capitulation.
“It was six minutes of madness. I just felt we lost our heads at that moment. After that, there was no way back,” said the Icelander, whose side face a Nations League relegation play-off.
“We kind of just gave up. Easy to stand outside and criticise the players, but it was a crazy moment that killed everything. I’m kind of lost for words.” AFP, REUTERS
