Lee Carsley sparks England split as FA face sack calls despite Ireland and Finland wins

Lee Carsley's position over the national anthem has left fans divided (Image: Getty)

Lee Carsley's decision to snub singing the national anthem has sparked debate amongst England fans, who are divided over whether the interim boss should be sacked.

The 50-year-old, who succeeded Gareth Southgate as interim boss in early August, got his temporary stint in charge off to a perfect start with 2-0 wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.

But much of the preamble leading up to those fixtures was dominated by Carsley's declaration that he would not join in singing 'God Save The King', the English national anthem that rings out before every international fixture.

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It led to Carsley being criticised by fans on social media, with some accusing him of a lack of respect and there were even calls for the Under-21s boss to be sacked. Notably, beloved former boss Southgate was a passionate advocate for singing the anthem during his eight-year reign.

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In an Express Sport poll, readers were asked: 'Should England interim manager Lee Carsley be sacked for refusing to sing the 'God Save The King' national anthem?'

The poll results showed that 48 per cent of supporters voted in favour of Carsley's interim appointment being brought to a premature end. That was, of course, less than the 52 per cent of people who backed the 50-year-old to stay in the job.

England fans have given their view on whether Lee Carsley should be sacked (Image: Getty)

But the small margin between the results suggest there is a divide between some of the more patriotic England fans and those who are less so.

Carsley, who represented the Republic of Ireland during his playing career despite being born in Birmingham, has explained his reasons behind declining to sing God Save The King.

"This [singing the anthem] is something that I always struggled with when I was playing for Ireland," Carsley said on Friday.

England interim boss Lee Carsley did not sing the national anthem (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"The gap between your warm-up, you're coming on to the pitch and the delay with the anthems. So it's something that I have never done.

"I was always really focused on the game and my first actions of the game. I really found that in that period I was wary about my mind wandering off.

"I was really focused on the football and I have taken that into coaching. We had the national anthem with the Under 21s also and I am in a zone at that point. I am thinking about how the opposition are going to set up and our first actions within the game.

"I fully respect both anthems and understand how much they mean to both countries."

Lee Carsley sparks England split as FA face sack calls despite Ireland and Finland wins

Lee Carsley sparks England split as FA face sack calls despite Ireland and Finland wins

Lee Carsley sparks England split as FA face sack calls despite Ireland and Finland wins

Lee Carsley sparks England split as FA face sack calls despite Ireland and Finland wins

Lee Carsley sparks England split as FA face sack calls despite Ireland and Finland wins