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Why Lee Carsley won't sing England national anthem during interim spell as boss sticks to pre-match ritual

UEFA Nations League B

England

Ireland

Carsley is set to lead the Three Lions for the first time against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday evening. The former Everton midfielder is the newest England coach after Gareth Southgate called an end to his eight year-reign as after Euro 2024, and Carsley has already said he won't be partaking in the national anthem ahead of kick-off.

WHAT HAPPENED?

The decision has riled some fans and people in the media, but this isn't a new thing for Carsley. Speaking to the press ahead of the Ireland encounter, the 50-year-old, who represented Ireland 40 times, admitted he's often so in the zone before games that his focus isn't on the national anthem. When the Birmingham-born coach managed England's Under-21, he was also tight-lipped when 'God Save the King' was playing.

THE EXPLANATION

Carsley said: “This is something that I always struggled with when I was playing for Ireland. The gap between your warm-up, your coming on to the pitch and the delay with the anthems. So it’s something that I have never done. I was always really focused on the game and my first actions of the game. I really found that in that period I was wary about my mind wandering off. I was really focused on the football and I have taken that in to coaching.“We had the national anthem with the Under-21s also and I am in a zone at that point. I am thinking about how the opposition are going to set up and our first actions within the game. I fully respect both anthems and understand how much they mean to both countries. It’s something I am really respectful of.”

WHAT CARSLEY SAID

Carsley will be hoping for a winning start to life as England's 19th manager. After the opener, the Three Lions face Finland in their second Nations League game on Tuesday. Carsley also hopes to implement his style and philosophy on the squad as the full-time vacancy for the role is still available.

WHAT NEXT FOR CARSLEY AND ENGLAND?

Why Lee Carsley won't sing England national anthem during interim spell as boss sticks to pre-match ritual | Goal.com Singapore

New England manager Lee Carsley has already caused controversy by admitting he won&apos;t sing the national anthem.