England begin life without Gareth Southgate this weekend as they take on the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League, live on talkSPORT.
The Three Lions have not played a game under someone other than Southgate since 2016 but now Lee Carsley will be on the touchline.
Southgate left his role after another defeat in the final of the Euros earlier this summer, and now interim boss Carsley will be hoping to pick the squad up and continue their quest for a trophy.
That journey begins in the Nations League, with the tournament kicking off in the group stages during this international break.
England take on Ireland and then Finland over the next week, while Greece are also in League B’s Group 2 of the competition.
Carsley’s side will want to get off to a winning start but it won’t be easy up against some familiar faces that are in the Irish set-up.
Republic of Ireland vs England: Come on, Carsley
Carsley is in interim charge of England for the next three months.
This clash will be his first game in charge and fans are hoping that he succeeds throughout his short stint.
Against Ireland, it is set to be the first Three Lions game without Southgate in the dugout for eight years, which is a massive moment for the national team.
So, Carsley will be hoping that his side can deal with the occasion and that his tenure can begin with a big win.
Including caretakers, only four England managers have ever lost their first game in charge, with the last coming in 2012 with Stuart Pearce.
Alf Ramsey, Howard Wilkinson and Peter Taylor are the other three.
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- England won their last meeting with the Republic of Ireland in November 2020 – they haven’t won consecutive games against them since doing so with wins in 1980 and 1985.
- Republic of Ireland are set to host England for the first time since a goalless draw in a friendly in June 2015. In a competitive match, it’s the first time since a November 1990 European Championship qualifier, drawn 1-1 with Tony Cascarino cancelling out David Platt’s opener for England.
Republic of Ireland vs England: Squads and team news
Leicester’s Kasey McAteer has received his first call-up to the Ireland squad and could make his first appearance for his country.
Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher will be in goal while Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty and Nathan Collins could all feature in defence.
Sammie Szmodics is sure to be a huge threat to England up front for the Irish.
Ireland squad
- Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher, Mark Travers, Max O’Leary
- Defenders: Seamus Coleman, Matt Doherty, Dara O’Shea, Nathan Collins, Andrew Omobamidele, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Callum O’Dowda, Robbie Brady.
- Midfielders: Will Smallbone, Jayson Molumby, Jason Knight, Alan Brown, Kasey McAteer.
- Forwards: Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson, Sammie Szmodics, Chiedozie Ogbene, Callum Robinson, Troy Parrott.
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England have four players who may receive their first caps in this international break.
Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White and Valentino Livramento have all been called up and could feature in this clash.
Harry Maguire is back after missing the Euros while Jack Grealish returns too.
England squad
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, Nick Pope
- Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, Levi Colwill, Rico Lewis, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tino Livramento
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Conor Gallagher, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White, Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer.
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Ollie Watkins, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish.
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- England have shipped the opening goal in each of their last four matches, all in the knockout stages of EURO 2024 (W2 D1 L1). They haven’t conceded the opener in five games in a row since between November 1953 and June 1954.
- Republic of Ireland didn’t win any of their first 12 matches in the UEFA Nations League (D5 L7) but won two of their last four in 2022 (D1 L1), beating Scotland and Armenia.
Republic of Ireland vs England: What has been said?
Interim England boss Carsley has been speaking about the next three months being a huge moment in his managerial career.
He said: “I’m not sat here, having managed one season in the Premier League, one season in the Championship … been on Sky and done a bit of punditry.
“I’ve built really strong foundations from driving the minibus at Coventry for the under-18s to doing the under-15s on a Wednesday night to coaching the college team at Solihull on a Wednesday afternoon to where I am today.
“That’s why I don’t feel overawed by this situation, in terms of the expectancy. Every time we’d pick an under-21s team, we expect to win, we expect to play in a certain way.
“I can’t see that being any different with the senior team. If they come in and they feel that and believe that I think we can have a really good three months.”
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- England have scored just 13 goals in 11 games in 2024, having netted 26 in 10 games in 2023. Their 2024 average of 1.2 goals per game is their lowest in a year since 2000 (exactly one per game, 11 goals in 11 games).
- Cole Palmer has a goal and an assist in his last two England appearances (assist vs Netherlands, goal vs Spain), coming off the bench in each game. The last Chelsea player to net in consecutive England matches was Frank Lampard between September 2012 and May 2013 (five in a row), with the last game in that run coming against the Republic of Ireland.
Republic of Ireland vs England: talkSPORT coverage
This Nations League clash will take place on Saturday, September 7.
Kick-off at the Aviva Stadium is scheduled for 5pm.
talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game presented by Adrian Durham.
Commentary will come from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.
talkSPORT.com will also keep you up to date with all the latest.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
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