NTTF Exclusive: Big Sam On Carsley’s Refusal To Sing Anthem And Backs Him To Replace Southgate Permanently

After England’s new gaffer faced controversy at the weekend after he refused to sing the English national anthem when facing Ireland, the country Carsley represented as a player, through his grandmother who was born in County Cork, Big Sam was asked if he cared about the debate around the anthem?

“I sang it. I was so proud to sing it when I was in that position, it gave me heart palpitations I tell you. But obviously, he’s got that Irish connection.

“I don’t know who he would have upset if he sang it, would he have upset the Irish more? I don’t think so. He was born in England, he’s an Englishman - with Irish grandparents. But then there must be pressure from his parents to say ‘You can’t by any stretch of the imagination’.

“When we’ve had a foreign coach they’re never gonna sing it, and some players won’t for whatever reason - because we’ve got all this stuff that goes on and it makes you ask why. Why is it even news? It’s not news, is it? The news is that England played well and they won.

“It didn’t bother them when he wasn’t singing the national anthem when he was under-21s manager and they won the tournament. I hope he’s sat down with Gareth and the England camp and they’ve told him what he’s going to be facing. That’s what I did a lot before I got in that position. He’s got that intrusion to put up with now, he won’t know what’s coming.”

He said: “I think he’s got to win another couple of games and the FA will be happy to give him the position full-time. He’s got a very talented squad and he’s walked in and made his own impact.

“He’s picked different players, he’s put them in the team and they’ve delivered. Most England players always deliver in games like these, it’s more about when we get to the latter end of the competition where we haven’t quite cracked it yet.

“Qualifying has never been a problem, but getting over the line is. But the talent of the squad, and who he’s picking is gonna be the test for him.

“He’ll be looking at his under-21s and only pick them if they are ready. Don’t pick them out of loyalty - pick them if they’re ready because there are far too many other players in that squad at senior level, where there’s no need to have too many under-21s going in. It’s just so talented.

“Finding the right positions for players in the team will be his big challenge, and not playing players out of position and making sure you find the right system. What his philosophy will be will be interesting to see, but it’s a good start.

“I hope he keeps it up, because there’ll be nothing better than him taking over the job full time I don’t think. If they are thinking about a foreigner that is - because you know me - I’m against a foreign manager. It’s not right in terms of what we are as a football nation.

“The big problem is, developing our own [managers] is hugely difficult in the international league that’s played in England - and that’s called the Premier League. It’s an international league that’s played in this country which is full of foreign coaches, full of foreign everything now, owners, coaches, so it’s hard for us now.

“It’s hard for us to build that pitch of whether we are good enough to manage England, but hopefully, he can take over and do a great job.”