Jack Grealish Praises Lee Carsley for Restoring Joy in an England Shirt
Jack Grealish has expressed his gratitude to Lee Carsley for “bringing back the enjoyment” of representing England, following his shock exclusion from Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
Under Carsley’s leadership, the Three Lions were promoted back to the top tier of the Nations League, capping off his interim tenure with a dominant 5-0 victory over Ireland at Wembley. The win marked Carsley’s fifth in six matches before he hands over the reins to Thomas Tuchel, who will take charge in January.
Tribute to Carsley’s Leadership
Reflecting on Carsley’s impact, Grealish took to Instagram, writing:
“What a guy & manager! Absolute legend and thank you for bringing back the enjoyment in an England shirt.”
Carsley included the Manchester City forward in all three of his camps this season, a stark contrast to Southgate’s decision to omit Grealish from the Euro 2024 squad. England ultimately fell short in the final against Spain.
A Redemption Arc Under Carsley
Grealish, sidelined during the Euros, returned in September under Carsley and immediately repaid the faith by scoring in a 2-0 win over Ireland. Reflecting on his exclusion, he admitted:
“I’ll be honest with you, I didn’t really agree with it. I think you need a bit of balance in every position on the pitch.
He compared himself to players like Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, and Jarrod Bowen, acknowledging their goal-scoring ability but emphasizing his broader contributions to the team.
“I give so much more to the team than just goals. I still think I should have gone to the Euros, but obviously, it wasn’t meant to be.”
Grateful for Trust and Connection
The former Aston Villa star admitted watching England’s summer matches was tough but credited Carsley for embracing him and restoring his confidence.
“I thank the manager here for giving me that chance and having that trust in me. It’s really meant a lot.”
Grealish hinted at a stark difference between Carsley and Southgate, adding:
“Since I’ve come here, I’ve felt a lot of love from the manager. When I play under managers that show trust in me and communicate with me the way he has, it really helps me.”
Looking Ahead
As Carsley returns to his role with the Under-21s, Thomas Tuchel will have the task of building on his success. Meanwhile, Grealish’s form and renewed confidence could make him a pivotal figure for England moving forward.
