England begin life without Gareth Southgate this afternoon 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 at least the next three months.
This clash will be his first game 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.
England’s Nations League fixtures
Saturday, September 6
- Republic of Ireland vs England – live on talkSPORT
Tuesday, September 10
- England vs Finland – live on talkSPORT
Thursday, October 10
Sunday, October 13
Thursday, November 14
Sunday, November 17
- England vs Republic of Ireland
- 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
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.
talkSPORT understands that Grealish will start for the Three Lions.
Maguire is expected to come in at centre-back, while Gibbs-White has a chance of starting as well.
Levi Colwill is anticipated to take the left-back slot.
However, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Ollie Watkins have withdrawn from the team.
Palmer and Watkins have unspecified issues, but Foden is ill.
In a statement, the FA said: “Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins and Phil Foden will play no part in England’s forthcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
“The Three Lions squad reported to St. George’s Park on Tuesday but, following assessment, both Palmer and Watkins returned to their clubs to continue rehabilitation for ongoing issues.
“Foden did not report through illness and is ruled out of the matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland.
“No further additions are planned at this moment in time.”
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, Conor Gallagher, Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White, Kobbie Mainoo
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen, Eberechi Eze, Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Jack Grealish
- 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.”
- 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.
Listen via the talkSPORT app here, or on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM
News Summary:
- Republic of Ireland vs England LIVE commentary: Three Lions begin post-Southgate era in Nations League – kick-off time, team news and talkSPORT coverage
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.