England interim manager Lee Carsley has announced that he will not be singing the British national anthem when his team faces the Republic of Ireland on Saturday. The 50-year-old, born in Birmingham, represented Ireland during his playing career due to his grandmother’s Irish roots in County Cork.
During a pre-match press conference ahead of his debut as England manager, Carsley explained that his decision is consistent with how he approached his time as a player. He shared that he never sang the Irish national anthem during his playing days and does not plan to change this practice during his coaching career.
“This is something I always struggled with when I was playing for Ireland,” Carsley said. “The gap between the warm-up, walking onto the pitch, and the delay with the anthems was always challenging. I was focused on the game and my first actions. I found that in that moment, my mind could wander, and I wanted to stay focused on the football.”
Carsley added that he has followed this approach throughout his coaching career, including during his three-year tenure as England Under-21s manager, where he refrained from singing the anthem. He emphasized that during that time, his focus was entirely on tactics and game strategy, rather than the ceremonial aspects of the match.
“When the anthems are played, I’m thinking about how the opposition will set up and our first actions in the game,” he said. “I fully respect both anthems and understand how much they mean to both countries. It’s something I am really respectful of.”
The UEFA Nations League opener at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin marks the beginning of a new chapter for England’s national team, following Gareth Southgate’s resignation as manager after the Euro 2024 final loss to Spain. Carsley was appointed on an interim basis as the Football Association considers its next permanent managerial appointment.
Carsley, who recently turned down an offer to manage the Republic of Ireland national team, has included Declan Rice and Jack Grealish in his squad for the upcoming match. Both players previously represented the Republic of Ireland at the international level before switching their allegiances to England.
When asked if he had any concerns about fielding Rice and Grealish in Dublin, Carsley responded confidently: “No, not at all. We’ve spoken not only to Jack and Declan but to the entire squad. We expect a passionate, loud atmosphere, but it’s no different from what these players are used to in Premier League and other high-level games. They’ll be ready for whatever comes their way.”
Saturday’s match also marks a fresh start for the Republic of Ireland, with Icelandic manager Heimir Hallgrímsson taking charge of the team for the first time.
The clash at Aviva Stadium promises to be a significant occasion for both teams, as each embarks on a new journey under their respective managers.
