Lee Carsley led the English national football team as head coach for the first time, but before the match he accidentally sat on the opponent’s bench.
by Lee Carsley the first match as head coach of the English national football team was seen on Saturday, when England faced Ireland in the Nations League.
Carsley, who was born in England but represented Ireland as a player, started to pilot the team temporarily when the former head coach Gareth Southgate moved to the side after the EC final disappointment.
England won the match 2–0, but the actions of the new head coach caused a backlash, as he did not sing along to the national anthem “God Save the King” heard before the match.
Even before the match, he thought that he would not participate in the song – as he has never done before as a player or when leading the England junior national team.
Carsley told to the BBC that he struggled with it while playing in Ireland.
– I was always really focused on the game and my first actions in the game. I noticed that at that time I was careful about my thoughts straying, he said and said that he adopted the same approach to his coaching as well.
He assured that he respects the anthems of both teams and understands how much they mean to the countries.
According to Carsley, the irritation that not singing caused in many people beforehand did not affect his game day or his preparation for it.
He told to The Guardian that the day he managed the England team in Dublin was one of the proudest of his life.
– I have played in teams where the players loudly sing the national anthem next to me, but I have also played in teams where neither the players nor the coaches sing. I don’t think that makes me any less committed.
The Irish audience reportedly booed both Carsley and By Declan Rice and Jack Grealish during names. Rice and Grealish, who were responsible for England’s goals, represented Ireland as juniors but are currently playing in England’s shirt. There was also a sign with their pictures in the audience with the text “the snakes are back”.
On the wrong bench
Before kick-off, England’s interim coach Carsley walked over to Ireland’s bench out of habit and sat down. He only realized his mistake when the referee tapped him on the shoulder.
“I went down the tunnel and turned right – as you know I’ve spent a lot of time on that bench so I know exactly where it is,” Carsley told The Guardian.
– I realized that the coaches were all on the other bench, so the matter was resolved quickly, he continued.