WJR News

In a landmark match, 25-year-old Declan Rice praised the debut of 50-year-old Lee Carsley as the interim manager of the England national team. Carsley’s fresh approach was evident as England secured a 2-0 victory over Ireland on Saturday, with a clear emphasis on attacking football.

Rice scored England‘s first goal since the departure of long-serving manager Gareth Southgate when the Arsenal midfielder netted in the first half of the Nations League opener in Dublin.

Carsley, who guided England’s Under-21s to European Championship victory last year, is temporarily in charge while the Football Association looks for a successor to Southgate.

Southgate quit after England’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain in July, a painful conclusion to a campaign that featured scathing criticism of his conservative tactics and failure to get the best out of a world-class squad.

During his eight-year reign, Southgate’s cautious approach led to two Euro final defeats. However, former Ireland midfielder Carsley expressed his eagerness for England to play without restraint as they delivered a dominant and stylish performance in the first half.

Statistics showed they created six ‘big chances’ – more than in any of their matches at Euro 2024 – and had more shots (16) than in all but one of their games in Germany.

Rice was able to push much further up the field than he did at the Euros, where he played as a defensive midfielder, thanks to “Carsball,” which symbolized freedom for him.

Let off the leash, Rice netted the opener and then laid on Jack Grealish‘s goal before the break with an astute pass.

“His meetings have been top, really to the point, and the way we play and train is really different so I think all the lads are really happy with him.

“Obviously, we had such an amazing time with Gareth. Some of the best memories that we probably could ever imagine. The only thing that was missing there was, obviously, we didn’t win a trophy.

“But with Lee now, I think he’s adapted so well to the job. He’s given a lot of lads a lot of confidence to go and play.”

‘Personality and confidence’

Carsley’s willingness to encourage England to build possession from the back was clear from keeper Jordan Pickford kicking long only 18.5 percent of the time, as opposed to 49 percent at the Euros.

Like Rice, Manchester City winger Grealish enjoyed more license to entertain under Carsley.

Grealish was excluded from the Euro squad due to Southgate’s concerns about the player’s deviation from the team’s style of play.

But Carsley gave Grealish the number 10 role behind Harry Kane and he repaid the manager’s faith with a dynamic display.

“Look at Jack today. I think Jack’s best when he’s got an arm around him and he’s told how good he is,” Rice said.

“I think Lee’s done that this week and Jack went out there, and when Jack’s playing with personality and confidence he’s one of the best players in the world.”

Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, who made only one substitute appearance at the Euros, was also given free rein to attack by Carsley with impressive results.

“The expression of freedom to express yourself was missing from Euro 2024,” Gordon said of the change.

“We controlled games but we weren’t dynamic. We weren’t relentless. We lacked dynamism and excitement.”

Birmingham-born Carsley’s decision not to sing ‘God save the King’ before kick-off provoked criticism from England’s more patriotic fans.

But if the 50-year-old can coax another eye-catching performance from England in Tuesday’s Nations League tie against Finland at Wembley, the anthem issue will be forgotten.

Newcastle’s Eddie Howe remains the bookmakers’ favourite for the England job, but Carsley’s stock is rising.