FANS called for Lee Carsley to stay on as England boss and joked whether Thomas Tuchel’s contract can be ripped up.
Carsley, 50, stepped in as interim Three Lions manager after Gareth Southgate resigned following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.
The Under-21s gaffer took on the temporary promotion for the six Nations League matches – tasked with securing promotion back to the top division.
And despite a blip in losing at home to Greece, he has secured five wins out of six to ensure it was mission accomplished.
Carsley is expected to return to U21s duty now that his stint is done, with Tuchel signing an 18-month, £7.5million contract to take over in January.
But after smashing Ireland 5-0 to confirm England’s promotion and sign off in style, plenty of supporters want more Carsley-ball in 2025 – rather than see Tuchel’s football.
And the emphatic victory at Wembley, off the back of a 3-0 win in Greece on Thursday, came despite nine players withdrawing from the squad.
But that allowed FOUR stars to score their first senior England goals – Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
One fan quipped: “Too late to cancel Tuchel’s contract?”
Another said: “Not seen England play like this for a long time. An exciting watch. Knows the players very well and very likeable. Gave the armchair football managers what they wanted. Then picked the players to do the job. The FA have made a mistake in not promoting Lee Carsley.”
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A third added: “Lee Carsley era of England will always be in my heart. I’ve never seen our national team play better football. Balance and structure is ideal. Brave on the ball, beautiful combinations, beautiful goals. He deserved the job full time.”
A fourth typed: “Well done Lee Carsley. Chucked in the deep end but 5 wins, plenty of goals, lots of good football and several debuts/fringe players given minutes, he left a mark and can be proud of his tenure.”
And a final user commented: “It feels like something is really building under Lee Carsley. It’s almost a shame he has to make way for Tuchel.”
Carsley is set to return to his role as Under-21s boss when Tuchel comes in.
But reflecting on his tenure and bowing out with the five-star performance, a beaming Carsley said: “It was a great evening for a lot of players and the main thing was getting promotion.
“It was a good performance with real intent. I believed we would score goals.
“I enjoyed watching the lads, to play with the aggression they played with.
“I suppose relief [is the overriding emotion]. I wanted the England team to be exciting to watch, be attacking.
WITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.
That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.
The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.
RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.
Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.
The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.
Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel.
“I see them on the training ground and now people have seen it.
“I can only do what I was in control of. I don’t think it’s a gamble with these players, they’re excellent players and their mentality stands out. Any challenge put in front of them, they want to overcome.
“The U21 players have got a history of winning and expect to win when they turn up for England.”
Asked on one day returning to manage the England senior team again, he added: “This has given the staff and myself the confidence that we can do the job.
“You always doubt yourself.
“We often say there’s a lot of England managers in their house picking the team.
“It’s been a massive boost of confidence.”
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.
