Lee Carsley emerged from the England dressing room almost an hour before kick-off, accompanied only by the England goalkeepers. Standing in the middle of the pitch with crossed arms, he observed their training session.
The rest of the players and staff eventually joined him, and Carsley engaged in discussions with Ashley Cole, while also working with Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice on passing drills. As kick-off approached, Carsley continued to work with his players, only returning to the dressing room with 20 minutes left.
Prior to the game, Carsley admitted to being focused and avoiding distractions, which might explain his brief confusion when entering the wrong dugout. His attention to detail and tactical preparation was evident throughout the match.
Despite insisting the credit belonged to the players, Carsley’s influence was clear in the tactical adjustments and improved performance compared to previous games under Southgate’s management.
This international window served as a learning experience for Carsley as he embraced the role of England manager. His passion for the game was evident, and he approached the match with meticulous attention to detail.
While Carsley excelled in coaching and tactical aspects of the job, he also faced challenges as the public face of English football. The scrutiny and pressure of being England manager, especially in handling issues beyond football, will require him to adapt quickly.
Despite being embroiled in controversy over singing the national anthem, Carsley remains focused on moving forward and learning from the challenges that come with the job.
(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)