Jack Grealish left out but praises Lee Carsley while taking aim at Southgate
Jack Grealish, absent from international duty, watched England dominate the Republic of Ireland in a stunning 5-0 display. Despite the emphatic win, the Manchester City star might have been frustrated to miss out, especially given his recent form under Lee Carsley.
The 29-year-old winger thrived during Carsley’s interim stint, scoring in back-to-back games — matching his total goals for England under Gareth Southgate in just two appearances. This resurgence led to Grealish publicly praising Carsley in October, saying he appreciated being “trusted” by the manager.
However, Gareth Southgate’s controversial decision to select younger talents like Eberechi Eze and Anthony Gordon over Grealish for Euro 2024 left many divided. Reflecting on his time with Carsley, Grealish posted a pointed message on Instagram:
“What a guy and manager! Absolute legend and thank you for bringing back the enjoyment in an England shirt.”
The remark appeared to be a direct dig at Southgate, under whom Grealish’s England experience was reportedly less positive.
Southgate’s cautious approach questioned
Southgate has long faced criticism for a defensive style of play despite England’s abundance of attacking talent. Former Arsenal star Emmanuel Petit even told talkSPORT that he was “bored” watching England’s cautious 1-1 draw with Denmark at the Euros, adding:
“The balance is not right. The players showed fear.”
Such comments suggest discontent was not limited to fans but perhaps extended to players like Grealish, who struggled to thrive in Southgate’s system.
Harry Kane intervenes after Euro 2024 snub
Southgate’s decision to omit Grealish from the Euro 2024 squad reportedly unsettled the England camp. Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane even confronted Southgate to understand the rationale behind excluding the treble-winning winger.
Sources revealed Grealish was “shocked” and “deeply upset” by the decision, refusing to engage with Southgate afterward. His disappointment mirrored the views of several teammates, who believed his quality and big-game experience warranted inclusion.
While Southgate attempted to maintain unity, it’s believed the squad felt the exclusion diminished morale. Grealish’s latest remarks suggest lingering frustrations, and his praise for Carsley underscores his desire for a different England setup — one focused on freedom and enjoyment.
As England transitions into a new era post-Carsley’s brief tenure, the divide over Southgate’s management style remains a contentious talking point.
