Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish appeared to aim thinly veiled swipes at former England manager Gareth Southgate after both thanked outgoing interim boss Lee Carsley for ‘bringing back the enjoyment’ to the national team.
Carsley’s six-game run in charge ended with a thumping 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday, after which Bellingham and Grealish both issued public thanks on social media.
“What a guy and manager,” wrote Greliash, who was forced to pull out of the most recent England squad with an injury. “Absolute legend and thank you for bringing back the enjoyment in an England shirt.”
Real Madrid star Bellingham, who started four of Carsley’s six games in charge, was also effusive in his praise of the 50-year-old.
“Huge thanks to Lee and his staff for their work in these last few camps,” Bellingham said. “Got my smile back in an England shirt, very grateful.”
Despite a disappointing 2-1 home loss to Greece in October, Carsley can be credited with helping the senior side shake off the residual hangover from their defeat in the final of Euro 2024 – Southgate’s final match in charge before stepping down.
Against the Republic of Ireland, four players scored their maiden international goals with the result also ensuring England’s promotion back into the top echelon of the Nations League.
Carsley will now return to his previous post as head coach of England under-21s, paving the way for Thomas Tuchel to take over as head coach of the senior team from January.
After his final game in charge, Carsley said: “I’m trying to put together, with the rest of the staff, a debrief on all three camps. I will put together a document, then hopefully meet him and present what we think and what we’ve found.
“It’s a job that deserves an elite coach with a track record of winning and Thomas has got that. The bonus would be we’ve increased the pool of players. The next squad will be a real challenge to pick, I’m sure. Exciting times ahead.”
