England began life after Gareth Southgate in convincing fashion on Saturday (Sep 7), outclassing Ireland 2-0 in the Nations League with goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish giving interim manager Lee Carsley a debut win. Carsley, who will oversee two games this month with a view to staying on through the autumn, represented Ireland as a player and it was the two of his team with Irish links – Rice and Grealish – who gave England an early lead that was never remotely under threat.
England interim manager Lee Carsley enjoyed a dream debut as goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish silenced their Ireland tormentors and inspired a 2-0 win in Saturday's (Sep 7) Nations League opener in Dublin. Rice and Grealish, who both snubbed Ireland to represent England, scored in the first half of Carsley's maiden game in charge following Gareth Southgate's exit.
Southgate quit after England's heartbreaking Euro 2024 final defeat against Spain in July.
Carsley, who guided England Under-21s to European Championship glory last year, has stepped up on a temporary basis while the Football Association seek a permanent successor to Southgate. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter are said to be among the leading contenders. But Carsley's hopes of landing the job himself were boosted by England's confident display in the Nations League Group B2 victory at the Aviva Stadium.
Carsley's next game comes against Finland at Wembley on Tuesday.
This was only England's second trip to Dublin in 29 years after a 1995 friendly between the teams was abandoned.