Lee Carsley shares an unexpected reaction following England’s victory against Ireland, calling it one of his ‘proudest days.’

Despite maintaining a perfect record as England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley didn’t find the experience enjoyable.

The former Everton midfielder led the Three Lions to a solid 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their UEFA Nations League opener.

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Following considerable anticipation before and during the match, it was Declan Rice and Jack Grealish who netted the crucial goals.

Both midfielders shone in the first half, demonstrating that England can thrive after Gareth Southgate, potentially embracing a more attacking style of play.

While fans in Dublin celebrated the win, Carsley himself expressed a surprising lack of excitement after his initial trial for the full-time position.

“I definitely didn’t enjoy it,” he shared candidly in an interview with talkSPORT’s Faye Carruthers.

“You tend not to enjoy these games. You want the players to succeed and to see the elements we practiced on the pitch, which luckily we did today.”

“We mentioned before the game that we had four training sessions with the players, and I thought they performed remarkably well today.”

“Considering we came off a tough summer with a loss to Spain, they should be proud of how they responded.”

Rice and Grealish stood out, along with the electrifying Anthony Gordon.

Carsley made sure to recognize their contributions during a match filled with significant pressure from the home fans.

He noted, “The most gratifying aspect was the way they finished their chances—those were accomplished goals by Jack and Dec.”

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“They still have room for growth in their game. If they can consistently add goals, it will elevate their performance to another level.”

“Both players were exceptional today,” Carsley praised.

With the injured Jude Bellingham sidelined, Grealish filled in as England’s No.10—an unusual position for him with the Three Lions and something he also doesn’t experience frequently at Man City.

Nevertheless, Carsley didn’t see this as a significant challenge.

“He’s an incredible player with a proven track record. I believed this game suited him perfectly.”

“He played as a No.10 but had the freedom to drift wide and create overloads in those areas, which he executed beautifully. His intelligence on the pitch is a real asset, and it’s fantastic that he scored as well.”

Carsley faced criticism for not singing the national anthem before the game but emphasized that his choice stems from a desire to stay focused.

“Reflecting on it earlier, I realized I haven’t sung either anthem in an international match since my debut in 1997. It’s always about concentrating on performance,” Carsley explained.

“Today was one of the proudest moments of my career, leading the team. My passion and commitment to winning remain unchanged, regardless of whether I sing the anthem or not.”

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect that completely.”

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