Harry Kane's warning to Ireland as he makes pledge to interim England manager Lee Carsley
Heimir Hallgrímsson's first game in charge of Ireland will be against the man that was a long-time favourite to land the role.
Harry Kane has fired a warning to Heimir Hallgrímsson’s Ireland by pledging to “give everything” for interim England manager Lee Carsley next month.
Carsley, once tipped to be in the home dugout for the Nations League opener, will take charge of England at the Aviva Stadium.
His appointment on an interim basis was confirmed last week, giving the FA time to mull over a permanent replacement for Gareth Southgate.
Southgate stepped down shortly after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, meaning a promotion from the Under-21 role for ex-Ireland midfielder Carsley.
The former Everton man could yet land the role on a long-term basis, but while he is caretaker he will have the full backing of England captain Kane.
The Bayern Munich striker said: “From my point of view as a captain and a player, we’ll just get behind the coach.
“We’ve got two important games coming up and after the tournament we’ve had you want to kickstart well and get back to it.
“That’s all we can do. That decision is out of my hands. All I can do is do my best for him and our country.”
Kane admitted that he had yet to speak with Carsley since his appointment last week, but that he was well aware of the highly-rated coach.
It’s just over a year since Carsley led the Three Lions to European Under-21 glory - ironically with a win over Spain in the decider.
“With Lee, I haven’t had contact yet,” said Kane. “Obviously I know him from the 21s from when we are at St George’s, so I’m sure we’ll be in touch before we meet up in a month or so.
“We’ll get back to business and whoever the manager is, the way we want to play, we’ll go out there and give it everything.”
Carsley was the early favourite to replace Stephen Kenny and he was one of the first people to sit down with the FAI’s head-hunters after Kenny’s departure last November.
Marc Canham, Jonathan Hill and Packie Bonner met with the 40-time capped midfielder to discuss the role, and there were further communications over the phone.
However, Carsley opted to stay with England at the time and the FAI’s search eventually came to an end last month when former Iceland boss Hallgrímsson was appointed.
Kane, meanwhile, is confident that the FA will make the right decision when it comes to Southgate’s long-term replacement.
Carsley is the favourite to take the job after his interim spell comes to an end, but there are plenty of big names in the race.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna are among those linked with the role.
Kane said: “I know the guys behind the scenes will make that decision and from my point of view as captain, as a player, it is to get behind the coach and we have two important games coming up.
“After the tournament we had, you want to kick start well and get back to it. That is all we can do. Of course, those decisions are out of my hands. All I can do is my best for him and for our country.”
Southgate stepped down as the only man to lead England to two major finals - at Euro 2024 and the delayed Euro 2020 tournament.
He also guided the country to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and to the quarter-finals in Qatar in 2022.
Kane paid tribute to the former manager, adding that they helped each other to get over the bitter disappointment of another final defeat.
“I spoke to Gareth after the final,” said the former Tottenham forward. “Then we spoke on the phone after he made his decision. It was good to have that catch-up.
“Me and Gareth spent so many years together, we had so many good times together.
“We were obviously both still disappointed with the way it ended for us but Gareth will always be someone I stay in touch with. He’s been a big part of my career.
“I can only thank him for that.”
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
