BACK in 2002, Lee Carsley was so in his own world as a player at a major tournament he barely even noticed when Roy Keane stormed out of Ireland’s World Cup training camp in Saipan.
Now he has to be on top of every single detail as he presides over his first European Championship as England Under-21 manager.
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Carsley and Jason McAteer were the two players put up to face the world’s media in the wake of Keane’s exit following his infamous tirade at then Irish boss Mick McCarthy.
Manchester United captain Keane’s departure shook football to its core ahead of the South Korea and Japan World Cup — and yet Carsley seemed blissfully unaware.
The 49-year-old reflected: “As a player, you’re so selfish. I probably wouldn’t have even noticed if Roy was happy or sad.
“A lot of the lads seem to have different recollections of how dramatic it was, depending on who they’re talking to! It’s just something that happened and that was it.
“The press conference the next day it was me and Jason in front of the world’s press, with no prep. Nobody got prepped. Just crack on.
“It was obviously a big deal. But I probably saw it as another midfielder gone, I’ve probably got a better chance of playing!”
It could not be more different now for Carsley, who regularly wakes up at 5am and messages his assistants Ashley Cole, Joleon Lescott and Tim Dittmer with training plans.
He has admitted to being obsessed with his job and every facet to it, particularly during the long stretches between international camps.
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Now it is time for the real work to begin, though, as England kick off their Under-21 Euros in Georgia against Czech Republic on Thursday.
His squad is stacked full of multi-million-pound stars such as Anthony Gordon and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Yet Carsley knows a brimful of talent is not enough, with England crashing out in the group stage at five of the last six tournaments.
What should give England fans optimism, though, apart from Carsley’s style of play and his squad quality, is the manager feels ready for the task.
Unlike some ex-players who believe they can go straight to the top in management, Carsley has been more patient and methodical.
He has spent much of his time in developing young players, including at Coventry, Brentford, Birmingham and Manchester City, which was a key factor in his appointment as Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21s successor in 2021.
The Brummie has wanted to hone his craft, having been taught an early lesson during his caretaker spell at the Ricoh Arena in 2012.
Carsley explained: “There was one light-bulb moment against Swindon.
“We’d beaten Bury and I’m thinking, ‘Played one, won one. I’m definitely the next big thing here!’
“Swindon were 4-4-2 but a lopsided diamond. The outside of the diamond kept going wide. From the dugout, you can’t see — you haven’t got the depth and width perception.
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“I couldn’t work out what system they were playing. We couldn’t get near them.
“We went 1-0 up — don’t ask me how — and as we’re going in for half-time I can hear the lads screaming at each other.
“I’m thinking, ‘My God, I can’t work it out’. I got away with it but I knew myself that I was miles off it.
“It would only have taken one of them to say, ‘Well, what are they doing?’ and I’d have been snookered. I couldn’t have gone up to the tactics board and showed them.
“I had an awareness that if I am not careful, I’ll get elevated beyond my capability and the game will spit me out.”
Carsley feels much more tactically astute now and has Lescott watch the first 25 minutes of games from up in the stands to get a different perspective.
Ex-Everton man Carlsey has been reluctant in the past to go for first-team jobs in club posts, not wanting to be one of the many “bluffers” in football applying for roles beyond their experience.
That may have changed now and it will be fascinating to see what he does after this tournament, in the wake of speculation he could move on.
Carsley added: “I’m nearly 50 now. Energy-wise — and I’m not saying the clock’s ticking — but if I don’t have a go at it then the boat is going to pass.
“But I’m not chasing. I’m so focused on the summer.”
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