Soccer

Lee Carsley joins England Under-21 set-up

Aidy Boothroyd appoints former Ireland midfielder as a ‘specialist national coach’

Lee Carsley has joined England Under-21s as a ‘specialist national coach.’ Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty

Wed Aug 30 2017 - 16:35

Lee Carsley will bring the same no-nonsense approach he had as a player to his coaching role with England, according to Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd.

Boothroyd has appointed the former Republic of Ireland international as his specialist national coach to the Under 21s, effectively assistant manager.

Carsley, who played for Derby, Blackburn, Coventry, Everton and Birmingham during his career, will undertake the role on a part-time basis alongside his job as head professional development coach at Birmingham.

A tough-tackling, no frills midfielder prior to his retirement in 2011, Boothroyd feels the 43-year-old has the right qualities and experience to offer England’s up-and-coming talent.

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“I’ve known Lee quite a while, he was my captain at Coventry — probably one of the few pleasing things about that whole stint actually!” said Boothroyd.

“He’s a good character and his reputation goes before him in terms of what he was as a player — his honesty, his willingness and his work ethic.

“As a coach, he’s been a manager for a little bit so he understands what that might be like. He’s worked at a big club at Manchester City and a little club at Coventry and Brentford, so he’s been around a bit.

“He’s very trustworthy and he’s honest and he tells it as it is — he’s not a yes man and I like that. He’s one of those guys who I think will improve our coaching team so I’m pleased that we’ve got him.”

Carsley had previously worked under Boothroyd with the England Under-19 squad in 2016.

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