JACK GREALISH appears to have fired a subtle dig at Gareth Southgate.
Grealish, who was forced to pull out of the most recent England camp through injury, took to Instagram to thank Lee Carsley for his time as interim manager.
Carsley’s final game ended in an emphatic 5-0 win over Ireland at Wembley, with four goalscorers netting for the national team for the first time.
However, the Manchester City star’s 19-word statement could be seen as taking a poke at former Three Lions manager Southgate.
Taking to social media, Grealish quoted an England post thanking Carsley.
The 29-year-old, who was handed his national team debut by Southgate in 2020, then said: “What a guy and manager!
“Absolute legend and thank you for bringing back the enjoyment in an England shirt.”
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham also had some cryptic words in his own tribute post to Carsley.
Bellingham, who got two assists against Ireland, said: “Huge thanks to Lee and his staff for their work in these last few camps.
“Got my smile back in an England shirt, very grateful.”
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Of course, there is every chance these comments come following the feelings from losing the Euro 2024 final, which was Southgate’s last game in charge before stepping down.
Carsley, 50, will resume his post at the helm of the England Under-21s with Thomas Tuchel taking charge of the senior team from next season.
Paying tribute, FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “I would like to thank Lee Carsley and his coaching team for their hard work and results in the last six games.
“Lee has achieved the main objective from the six fixtures this autumn: securing promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League.
“He has selected some exciting new players and will be providing Thomas Tuchel and Anthony Barry with a very detailed handover as they start work on our qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“The players have really enjoyed working with Lee and his team – they have made a real impact in their interim roles.
“Lee will now return to the Under-21s and will continue to play a vital role supporting the seniors by developing England’s best young players.
“His leadership and coaching gives us the best possible chance of back-to-back U21 EURO wins next summer, and he will continue to play a big part in elite football development across the FA.”
In all, Carsley won five of the six games he was in charge of, which saw the Three Lions win their Uefa Nations League group and earn promotion back to the top level of the competition.
England ratings vs Ireland
England’s newbies put on a five-star second half performance to hammer ten-man Ireland.
No fewer than four young Lions bagged their first international goal during the 5-0 win.
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay rated the England stars at Wembley.
Jordan Pickford: 6
Matched the great Gordon Banks by reaching 73 caps. But the Everton stopper was pretty much a spectator as Ireland showed little ambition in attack.
Tino Livramento: 7
Became the seventh player across Carsley’s three England camps to be handed a debut. It was his cross which caused panic in the Irish defence, allowing Gordon to volley home his first England goal.
Kyle Walker: 6
Played at centre-back in back four for his 93rd cap. Headed an early chance over, had a couple of scares before the break before being withdrawn just after the hour when the game was up for the visitors.
Marc Guehi: 7
Was a little clumsy with a challenge on Evan Ferguson inside the box before the break, but nothing was given. Set up a first England goal for his best mate Gallagher with a flick-on from a corner during the goal blitz at the start of the second half.
Lewis Hall: 7
Admitted to nerves before his debut on Thursday but did not seem to have any here on his first start, playing alongside his Newcastle colleagues Livramento and Gordon. Could this be the start of a long England career for one of our few natural left-backs?
Conor Gallagher: 8
Was given the nod ahead of Angel Gomes for the second successive game and capped it with his first England goal by poking home Guehi’s flick just before the hour. England’s confidence at that point was summed up by Gallagher attempting a rabona.
Curtis Jones: 7
Tidy, if not hitting the heights of his magnificent debut three days earlier. But overall, another success story of the brief Carsley era which has given Thomas Tuchel plenty more options to consider.
Noni Madueke: 7
His final ball was not quite there compared to his man-of-the-match performance in Athens. But the Chelsea man still caused Ireland all manner of problems with the explosive way he runs at opponents.
Jude Bellingham: 9 STAR MAN
Effectively had three assists as he won the penalty for Harry Kane’s opener – which led to Scales being sent off – and teed up goals for subs Bowen and Harwood-Bellis. A brilliant display from the Real Madrid superstar. How lucky we are to have him.
Anthony Gordon: 7
Lovely volley for his first England goal and you could see how much it meant to him with his celebration. Caused Ireland issues with his direct running in a promising display.
Harry Kane: 7
A ponderous first half led to genuine questions over his suitability to this team… but then he showed why he is still the man with a stunning ball to Bellingham in the build-up to the opener.
Stuck away the resulting penalty when Bellingham was tripped for his 69th England goal.
SUBS:
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (on for Walker, 62): 8
Followed up Jones’ feat in Greece of netting on his England debut as he brilliantly headed home Bellingham’s fine cross to make it five.
Morgan Rogers (on for Gordon, 74): 7
Looked confident when coming on and ready to cause more misery against the tired ten men of Ireland. Would have had an assist had Jarrod Bowen put away his cutback.
Dominic Solanke (on for Gallagher, 74): 6
Almost diverted in his first England goal from fellow sub Bowen’s cross but was beaten to it, just, by the defender.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Madueke, 74): 8
Crashed home his first England goal with his first touch, seconds after coming on, to make it 4-0.
Angel Gomes (on for Jones, 79): 6
Tidied up and looked comfortable again in possession. Booked.
