ENGLAND caretaker manager Lee Carsley sparked fresh row yesterday by refusing to sing the national anthem ahead of yesterday’s Nations League game.
Former Spurs and Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp said performing God Save The King was “necessary” for the job.
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Caretaker England manager Lee Carsley sparked fresh row by refusing to sing the national anthem Credit: Getty
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Jack Grealish, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Marc Guehi sing the national anthemCredit: PA
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Harry said: ‘As a proud Englishman and a patriot I think singing the national anthem is important’ Credit: Darren Fletcher
Carsley’s controversial stingy attitude before the game against Ireland in Dublin overshadowed his first time in charge of the team — which they won 2-0.
Harry, 77, said: “As a proud Englishman and a patriot, I think singing the national anthem is important. I always like to see players and managers playing, regardless of the sport.
“It doesn’t matter where you’re from, for me if you’re in charge of the English team, you should be singing. At least 99 percent of the time.”
But he admitted former Ireland player Carsley may be caught between a rock and a hard place.
Harry said: “I accept that Lee had a problem on this occasion and that he may have been stuck in the middle of things.
“Not only as a former Republic of Ireland player, but because there was perhaps even more emotion in this than usual after the problems that have happened in the past.
“However, even though it was understandable this time, when it comes to an ‘ordinary’ match, against, say, Spain, France or whoever, it is mandatory.
“As an England coach, singing the national anthem is a must – whoever you are and wherever you’re from.” ITV pundit Ian Wright said: “I’m rooting for him because it’s one of the biggest opportunities of his life. It’s a storm in a teacup.”
A hostile Irish crowd booed as the national anthem played just before the 5pm kick-off.
Declan Rice and Jack Grealish were singled out for ridicule and accusations of being “snakes” because they had previously played for Ireland at youth level.
Lee Carsley will not be singing the English national anthem
But they silenced their critics by scoring both of England’s goals.
The pair joined in for the national anthem before the game.
But 50-year-old Carsley, looking passive in a maroon England training shirt, kept his lips pressed together nervously.
He was born in England, but played 40 games for the Republic of Ireland during his playing career.
He’s already said he won’t sing the national anthem – and he’s never sung as a player, saying he prefers to use the time to focus on the game instead.
He also said he had never sung the national anthem as an England under-21 coach.
Ahead of the game, Carsley told ITV1: “I have so much respect for both national anthems and I will be standing there proudly today. I think everyone is entitled to their opinion and as a player who debuted in ’97, or whenever it was, I was totally focused on the game.”
He added: “It hasn’t changed since I’ve been training and I hope it will be the same today.”
Former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said: “It’s a welcome return to the reality of being England manager.
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Declan Rice scored the first goal for EnglandCredit: Getty
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Jack Grealish scored the second goal for Three KionsCredit: PA
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The pair were singled out for taunts and accusations of being ‘snakes’ as they had previously played for Ireland at youth level
“It’s not fair, of course it is, but that’s the industry we’re in. Your focus is to try and win football games.”
Meanwhile, football journalist Henry Winter said on X/Twitter: “I don’t care if Lee Carsley sings the national anthem or not, as long as he gets a tune out of the England players.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer even lined up before kick-off, saying: “I’m going to sing the national anthem. What others do is really their business.”
But TalkSport’s Jamie O’Hara, a former Premier League footballer, said: “You’ve just lost a whole nation before you’ve even kicked a ball. Thanks for coming, Lee.”
And the fans flocked. Dean Thomson said: “You can’t be England coach if you refuse to sing the national anthem.”
And Toby Macallister said: “Fire him immediately. I don’t want someone leading England who won’t sing the national anthem.”
Former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate always sang the anthem proudly — and told the players to do the same.
CAR SEAT GAF
Author: SAM CREED
ANTHEM boss Lee Carsley stumbled again before the match — when he sat down in the wrong dugout in Dublin.
England’s caretaker manager, who has played 40 times for Ireland, has settled into the hosts’ seat at the Aviva Stadium.
The official told him about his gaffe and he jumped from Heimir Hallgrimsson’s place on the opposite side to the England bench.
A confused Carsley proved to be a laughing stock, managing to smile as he was led away.
Roy Hodgson, England manager from 2012 to 2016, also required his teams to sing it.
His predecessor Fabio Capello, an Italian, said he “didn’t feel good” singing it.
But the late Sven-Göran Eriksson, who was a Swede and managed England from 2001 to 2006, tried to “sing a bit”.
Nicky Butt, 49, who won 39 caps for England, said of the row: “Is it something that would bother the players? No, not at all. When I played for England, I don’t think I even sang the national anthem.
“I was always focused only on the game. That doesn’t mean you’re any less passionate. I didn’t sing it, Scholesy (Paul Scholes) didn’t sing it, and I don’t think Gary Neville sang it either.
“No one was more proud than the three of us to be there. I don’t think it’s a big deal. It’s his personal preference.”
And former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson said: “I don’t think there’s any pressure on anyone to sing the national anthem.
“I am a proud Englishman and I proudly sang it before every England game — and that meant a lot to me.
“But when you have a manager with dual citizenship who has played 40 times for the Republic of Ireland, it’s a shame that his first game is against them.
“Whether he sings the national anthem or not, I’m sure he’s not high on the FA’s list of required points when they pick the next England manager. He will be judged by his football.”
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Source: HIS Education