England interim manager Lee Carsley deflected all praise to his players for their fluid passing performance in his first game in charge, describing the comfortable 2-0 win over Ireland as the proudest day of his football career.
Carsley, who had been managing England's Under-21s since 2021, and led them to the European title last year, will oversee two games this month with a view to staying on through the autumn as England search for a full-time successor to Gareth Southgate.
Asked if England's forward-thinking display - albeit against a team ranked 54 places below them - was the mark of 'Cars-ball', the former Everton midfielder said this was certainly not the case after just four training sessions together.
"It's definitely not that, it's the players. I'm just lucky that at the minute I'm coaching them," the former Ireland international, who accidentally walked into the wrong dugout at the start of the game, told a press conference.
"The players have got to take a lot of credit the way they took on some of the things we spoke about, moving the ball forward quickly, running forward, trying to get in pockets, I thought they did really well."
However, a large portion of the post-match press conference was taken up by questions about the reaction to him not singing the British national anthem.
The former midfielder said on the eve of the Group B2 clash that he had never sung a national anthem as Republic player or England coach and would stick with that stance when the countries met on Saturday.
Asked about the reaction to his comments following Saturday’s win in Dublin, interim boss Carsley said: "It has definitely not affected my day or preparation.
"I found out about it this morning. I fully respect people’s opinions. It’s something that I’ve never done but I fully respect both national anthems.
"Today would be probably one of the proudest days of my career to lead an England team out in Dublin. You definitely couldn’t have written it.
"I don’t feel hard done by or aggrieved. I respect everyone’s opinion.
"I’ve played in teams out there where players are belting the anthem out next to me but also I’ve played in teams where players don’t sing, or coaches. I don’t think it makes me or anyone that doesn’t any less committed.
"Like I say, I was looking forward so much to today and it’s the proudest day of my football career. You couldn’t have written it, really.
"I saw the draw a while back and I thought to myself 'That’s going to be a really good game’. Then if you fast forward and two weeks ago, it sinks in that ‘OK, yeah, I am going to take over the team – the first game’s in Dublin’.
"I knew it was going to be a good experience but a bit of a test also."
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Declan Rice rifled the Euro 2024 finalists ahead as he impressively ignored the anger aimed his way having switched allegiance after making three senior appearances for Ireland.
Jack Grealish came in for similar flak having represented Ireland up until under-21 level and swept home a Rice cutback during a fine first half.
"I’m pleased with it but not surprised," Carsley said on the duo. "I think they’ve both been in football long enough now to understand and respect that it was going to be a little bit hostile at times, but in the right way.
"I thought the fans were really respectful with it. I thought that they both handled the atmosphere, as did the whole team.
"We tried to speak about how it’s going to be high tempo for everyone, not just Dec and Jack. Obviously, it’s great for them two that they’ve scored the goals, but more importantly that the team’s won and they’ve kept a clean sheet."
Carsley’s own Irish history led to an amusing pre-match moment as the former midfielder headed to the wrong bench at the Aviva Stadium.
"I did go down the tunnel and turn right," the former Republic midfielder said with a smile.
"As you know, I spent a lot of time on the bench so I know exactly where that is!
"Then I realised that no-one was on there and that the other coaches were on the other bench, so it was quickly resolved."
Additional reportng: PA
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