Sports
Lee Carsley lives for coaching – but anthem furore shows England job has another side to it
Lee Carsley was one of the first men out from the England dressing room, almost an hour before kick-off. He only had the England goalkeepers for company and he stood arms crossed in the middle of the pitch watching them work.
Eventually, the outfield players and the rest of the staff came out to join him. Carsley stood, arms behind his back, discussing the drills with Ashley Cole. But he wanted to get involved and so with just half an hour to go before his England tenure began, Carsley was there near a mountain of footballs, firing in passes to Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice so they could take the ball on the half-turn and drive forward.
Closer and closer to kick-off, Carsley was still out there working with his players. He would stand on the edge of the box, grappling with an attacking player who would then get past him and try to convert a cutback. Only with 20 minutes left before kick-off did Carsley run back into the England dressing room.
Carsley said on Friday, when explaining why he does not sing the national anthem, that in the period immediately before kick-off he is wary of his “mind wandering off” and that he is thinking obsessively about how the game will go and how the opposition will set up. Maybe that explains why he accidentally walked into the home rather than away dugout when he emerged from the tunnel.
Carsley initially sat in the Ireland seats (Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
But what is certainly clear is that Carsley lives for this stuff: the little details with players, the precise work of preparation, the tactical scenarios he might have to face. The characterisation of the old regime was that Gareth Southgate was the public-facing leader while Steve Holland oversaw the nuts and bolts of the football. Carsley, however, appears to relish the football minutiae more than anyone.
Even at half-time, you could see Carsley, before he went in to speak to his players, sat in the dugout with his iPad. He explained afterwards that this is where he keeps all of the notes he made during the long thinking time before the game. “If they change to a four, this is how we can build. If they change to a three, this is how we can build.” So he refreshed his memory on key tactical points before going in and giving his players a few key tactical messages, just two or three bullet points for them to take on board.
This is just one small aspect of what has been a fascinating first look at Carsley in his first game in the England job. This weekend has made clear that as much as Carsley might talk about how he wants to build on Southgate’s work — he was very keen to say this was not a “fresh start” — the reality is that he is his own man and will do things his own way.
There was a lot to like about the football England played in the first half, the small tweaks Carsley had made to his Southgate inheritance. Anthony Gordon played as a high and wide winger, running in behind, and his run led to England’s first goal. Declan Rice was released to go box-to-box thanks to Trent Alexander-Arnold shifting into midfield behind him. Rice scored the first goal and set up the second.
Goals from Rice and Grealish gave Carsley victory (Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Carsley denied that we were watching the launch of ‘Carsball’ and insisted that this was not his style, but rather that of the players, so they should receive the credit. And yet the fact is players did things today that they did not always do under Southgate — and Carsley is the man responsible for that.
This international window was always going to be a learning experience as Carsley stepped into the senior job for the first time. He looked as if he loved the occasion, saying it was the proudest day of his career. Just to see him crouched down in the technical area, you could see a man living every minute, trying to process every little detail in front of him on the pitch.
And if the England job was only about picking players, coaching, tactics and systems, then you might well say that Carsley was perfect for the job. Here is someone who understands the system, knows the players, and can now fine-tune the team into winners.
But the other lesson of this weekend is that there is another side to being England manager. It involves being the public face and voice of English football, expected to have a considered view on almost everything. It means being able to speak comfortably on endless non-football topics (you might remember the row about the amended St George’s cross on England’s collars) and at times having to choose your words very carefully under great pressure.
This was the side of the job Southgate was exceptional at, pitch-perfect on almost every topic, so much so that he swiftly became the spokesman for the soul of the national game. (No one expected Roy Hodgson or Fabio Capello to do this.) Carsley has only been in the job for one game but has already found himself at the centre of one big controversy over whether he will sing the national anthem.
He gave an honest, genuine and entirely justifiable answer to the question on Friday, but it was also the type of situation Southgate was so good at defusing. Instead, it made the front page of two national newspapers and the back of many others, with The Telegraph saying he “can’t expect to manage England” if he doesn’t sing the anthem and a columnist in fellow right-wing paper The Daily Mail calling for him to be sacked before kick-off. It feels as if this is the side of the job, being that public spokesman, with every word scrutinised, where Carsley will have to learn fast.
Carsley does seem to accept that this comes with the territory. He will also know there will be more issues like this down the line. “I think you’ve probably got to accept that with that (job) does come a bit of judgement,” he said when asked if the fuss was all worth it. “I don’t feel hard done by. We move forward.”
(Top photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo made NBA history on Tuesday night.
Adebayo scored 83 points, all while setting league marks for free throws made and attempted in a game for the Miami Heat in a 150-129 win over the Washington Wizards. It is the second-highest scoring game for a player ever, only to Wilt Chamberlain’s famed 100-point game.
“An absolutely surreal night,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after the game.
Adebayo started with a 31-point first quarter. He was up to 43 at halftime, 62 by the end of the third quarter. And then came the fourth, when the milestones kept falling despite facing double-, triple- and what once appeared to be a quadruple-team from a Wizards defense that kept sending him to the foul line.
He finished 20 of 43 from the field, 36 of 43 from the foul line, 7 for 22 from 3-point range.
After the game, he was seen in tears while he hugged his mother, Marilyn Blount, before leaving the floor after the game.
“Welp won’t have the highest career high in the house anymore,” Adebayo’s girlfriend, four-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, wrote on social media, “but at least it gives me something to go after.”
MAGIC’S ANTHONY BLACK MAKES INCREDIBLE DUNK OVER FOUR DEFENDERS IN HISTORIC NBA GAME
Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat celebrates during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Wizards at Kaseya Center on March 10, 2026, in Miami, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
The NBA’s previous best this season was 56, by Nikola Jokic for Denver against Minnesota on Christmas night. The last player to have 62 points through three quarters: one of Adebayo’s basketball heroes, Kobe Bryant, who had exactly that many through three quarters for the Los Angeles Lakers against Dallas on Dec. 20, 2005.
He wound up passing Bryant for single-game scoring as well. Bryant’s career-best was 81 — a game that was the second-best on the NBA scoring list for two decades.
Adebayo scored 31 points in the opening quarter against the Wizards, breaking the Heat record for points in any quarter — and tying the team record for points in a first half before the second quarter even started.
He finished the first half with 43 points, a team record for any half and two points better than his previous career high — for a full game, that is — of 41, set Jan. 23, 2021, against Brooklyn.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
Adebayo’s season high entering Tuesday was 32. He matched that with a free throw with 5:53 left in the second quarter, breaking the Heat first-half scoring record.
Adebayo’s 43-point first half was the NBA’s second-best in at least the last 30 seasons — going back to the start of the digital play-by-play era that began in the 1996-97 season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
BOSTON — Charlie McAvoy scored 39 seconds into overtime and Jeremy Swayman stopped 14 shots on Tuesday night to earn the Boston Bruins their 13th straight victory at home, 2-1 over the Kings.
Mason Lohrei scored midway through the third period to break a scoreless tie. But the Kings tied it five minutes later when Drew Doughty’s shot from the blue line deflected off the heel of Bruins forward Elias Lindholm and into the net.
It was the seventh straight time the teams had gone to overtime in Boston.
In the overtime, Mark Kastelic blocked a shot in the defensive zone and made a long pass to David Pastrnak, who waited for McAvoy to come into the zone. The Bruins’ defenseman and U.S. Olympian, who went to the locker room at the end of the second period after taking a puck off his mouth, skated in on Darcy Kuemper and went to his backhand for the winner.
Kuemper stopped 21 shots for the Kings, who entered the night one point out of the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference. The victory kept Boston in possession of the East’s second wild-card spot.
Swayman tied his career high with his 25th win of the season. The Bruins haven’t lost at the TD Garden since before Christmas.
After the game, Kings forward and future Hall of Famer Anze Kopitar stayed on the ice to shake hands with the Bruins after what is expected to be his last game in Boston.
Sports
Jon Jones requests UFC release after Dana White says legend was ‘never’ considered him for White House card
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Mixed martial arts legend Jon Jones ended his retirement from UFC simply because he wanted a spot on the “Freedom 250” fight card at the White House in June.
But, when UFC CEO Dana White announced the card during UFC 326 this past weekend, Jones wasn’t among the fighters. As a result, he has requested a release from his UFC contract.
White was candid when asked about Jones following the UFC 326 card.
Jon Jones of the United States of America reacts after his TKO victory against Stipe Miocic of the United States of America in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 16, 2024 in New York City. ((Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images))
“Never, ever, ever, which I told you guys a hundred thousands times, was Jon Jones ever even remotely in my mind to fight at the White House,” White explained, per CBS Sports. “Some guy with Meta Glasses filmed him talking about his hips – that his hips are so bad. And I don’t know if you guys saw that flag football game where he can barely run. Jon Jones retired because of his hips. He’s got arthritis in his hips. Apparently, doctors say he should have a hip replacement.”
White added that “the Jon Jones thing is bulls—,” saying that he texted the fighter’s lawyer saying he would never be on the White House card despite Jones saying he was in negotiations for it.
UFC ANNOUNCES CARD FOR WHITE HOUSE EVENT
The Meta Glasses incident White is referring to came from a viral video, where Jones, unaware he was being filmed, discussed issues with his hips to a fan.
On Monday, Jones composed a thorough response to White’s comments about him and the White House Card. He previously posted and deleted social media explanations, but Monday’s appeared to be his final statement on the matter.
UFC President Dana White speaks after UFC Fight Night at Toyota Center on Feb. 21, 2026. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
“Yes, I have arthritis in my hip and it’s painful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t fight,” Jones, who retired a heavyweight champion in 2025, said. “So let me get this straight, if I had accepted the lowball offer, suddenly my hip would be fine and I’d be on the White House card? That doesn’t make sense. I even received stem cell treatment last week to get ready for the White House card, and training camp was scheduled to start today. I was preparing to be ready.
“I understand business deals fall through sometimes, but going out publicly and saying things that aren’t true isn’t right. After everything I’ve given to the UFC, the years, the title defenses, the fights, hearing that I’m ‘done’ is disappointing. Especially when as recently as Friday UFC was calling me trying to get me on that White House card for a much lower number.”
Jones finished his statement by saying he “respectfully” asks to be released from his UFC contract.
Jon Jones enters the ring before facing Stipe Miocic in the UFC heavyweight championship fight during the UFC 309 event at Madison Square Garden on November 16, 2024 in New York City, New York. (Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
“No more spins, no more games. Thank you to the real fans who know what’s up,” he wrote.
The UFC did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Fox News Digital.
Jones is considered one of the best UFC fighters of all time, owning a 28-1-1 record, which includes his last bout with Stipe Miocic, knocking him out to take the heavyweight title belt. He is also a two-time light heavyweight champion.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
4Warn Weather Alert issued for Wednesday morning in Metro Detroit — What this means
Court document details attack on SF mayor’s bodyguard as Lurie responds to incident
Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle
2-year-old boy bitten in face by two pit bulls in Miami Gardens backyard, police say
Shay Maloney’s overtime goal lifts Boston Fleet to road victory
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
EXCLUSIVE: ICE says El Paso detention facility will stay open under new contractor after $1.2B deal scrapped
Von der Leyen ‘acting outside of competence,’ Araud tells Euronews
Wheelchair curler Steve Emt’s path from drunk driver to three-time Paralympian
Map: 2.3-Magnitude Earthquake Reported North of New York City
Trump stirs GOP primary drama with visit to Massie’s Kentucky home turf
-
Wisconsin1 week agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Pennsylvania6 days agoPa. man found guilty of raping teen girl who he took to Mexico
-
Detroit, MI5 days agoU.S. Postal Service could run out of money within a year
-
Miami, FL7 days agoCity of Miami celebrates reopening of Flagler Street as part of beautification project
-
Sports6 days agoKeith Olbermann under fire for calling Lou Holtz a ‘scumbag’ after legendary coach’s death
-
Virginia7 days agoGiants will hold 2026 training camp in West Virginia
-
Culture1 week agoTry This Quiz on the Real Locations in These Magical and Mysterious Novels