Preview: Republic of Ireland vs England
- Soccer News 2024/09/05 11:00
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Unable to get the senior men to follow in the footsteps of the 2022 women's luminaries and 2023 U21 heroes - led by none other than Carsley himself - Gareth Southgate's unforgettable England reign came to a natural end after another agonising silver medal finish at Euro 2024.
Many were baffled that England had even reached the showpiece event after watching Southgate's lethargic and lacklustre side flatter to deceive throughout the tournament, but another shot at international supremacy was ultimately denied by Luis de la Fuente's irrepressible Spain.
Handing over the reins to a temporary or permanent successor after nearly eight years at the helm, Southgate kept the manager's chair warm for Carsley, who has been appointed on an interim basis as the FA considers potential long-term options, with Pep Guardiola's name floated several times.
Of course, Southgate was appointed on a stopgap basis before convincing the FA that he deserved a permanent deal, and Carsley was inevitably inundated with questions about whether he wanted the job beyond the autumn term after naming his first youthful squad.
A return to the top tier of the Nations League - from which England were embarrassingly relegated in 2022-23 - would be the perfect start to such a mission, with the Three Lions also preparing to welcome Finland to Wembley three days after Tuesday's clash in Dublin.
Carsley's impending appointment has overshadowed a second managerial christening at the Aviva Stadium, as hosts Ireland have turned to former Iceland and Jamaica boss Heimir Hallgrimsson to restore a sense of national pride.
The 57-year-old takes over from Stephen Kenny, who failed miserably in his bid to end Ireland's post-Euro 2016 exile at major tournaments, winning just 11 of his 40 games in charge of the Boys in Green.
Following John O'Shea's mixed interim reign earlier this year, in which Ireland beat Hungary and drew impressively with Belgium but lost to Switzerland and Portugal, Hallgrimsson was sworn in after a brief spell in charge of Jamaica, where he oversaw the Reggae Boyz's underwhelming Copa America campaign.
A member of Lars Lagerback's Iceland side at Euro 2016, where the Nordic nation inflicted one of the most humiliating defeats on England, Hallgrimsson inherits an Ireland side that have won just two of their last 10 matches and have failed to score in three of their last four.
The 57-year-old will at least enjoy a Dublin double-header for his Ireland baptism - Greece arrive at the Aviva Stadium on 10 September - but the Boys in Green have not beaten England since the 1988 Euros, drawing their next six matches before the Three Lions won three in a friendly in 2020.
Republic of Ireland possible starting lineup:
Kelleher; Coleman, O'Shea, Collins, Brady; Ogbene, Browne, Smallbone, O'Dowda; Ferguson, Idah
England possible starting lineup:
Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Colwill; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Eze, Gordon; Kane
Prediction:Republic of Ireland 0-3 England
Republic of Ireland VS England stream and TV listing
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