There are plenty of examples of that happening- Ibrahimovic, Podolski, Shaqiri, Xhaka I think in the British Isles it's fairly common that people have ancestors/antecedents from other countries within the British Isles. Growing up, I was certainly aware that the different parts of the family were from or had come from Scotland and Ireland, and even Wales. To the extent that I'd never experienced any animosity between British nationalities, in terms of who to support in sporting events, until I went to university and found that my Welsh housemate hated England.
Britian is an islands of muts isn't it. Going back through the centuries we've invaded and been invaded over and over. I know I'm no pure breed Englishman. Puskas is my favourite example of switching alliance. He switched after 80 odd caps/goals or something silly.
Yeah, he did! I was just listing people who'd played for one country when they could have played for another but Puskas is a good point. Alfredo di Stefano played for three countries!
That's kind of the problem, I'm very liberal in my definition of what an Englishman is. Sounds stupid but it's not always cut and dry.
I always prefer it when I'm watching Sunderland and we have a local lad or two in the team ... ... that's what makes us a Sunderland team to a degree. Seeing English teams winning the Champions League, with eleven 'foreigners', is great but those players could just as easily be the opposition. And having a foreign manager win us the Euros would diminish that achievement in my opinion. For me one of the greatest ever trophy wins was Celtic, in the 1967 European Cup, when every player was born within 30 miles of Glasgow. The manager, Jock Stein, was from Hamilton which is 10 miles away ... ... I'm Rangers btw
I'd consider Carsley to be an Englishman with Irish ancestry who chose to represent Ireland as a player. I don't see any contradiction in him being both a proud Englishman and a proud Irishman at the same time. Guardiola, however, as an example, is a Catalan who represented Spain as a player and, as far as I'm aware, doesn't hold British citizenship. Which would make him not English and therefore I'd prefer someone else to be England manager. I think everyone is entitled to feel proud of the country or region with which they feel most connected, whether that's through birth, ancestry, citizenship, or residency. I don't see any problem with people feeling a connection to more than one country, state, or region either.
It's marvellous mate and it makes you proud of your area. As long as it's not overdone as it is at Newcastle ... ... anyone who ever scores against Sunderland instantly becomes 'an adopted Geordie' In fact, they don't even have to score, just say something derogatory about Sunderland and they'll make you a life member.
God forbid Guardiola should ever be considered to be England manager . . . . he'd have to blend a team from what's available, where he wouldn't be able to 'get his cheque book out' to get who he wants, and he'd probably struggle just like anybody else rather than start with an unfair advantage over most other teams like he's used to
I agree, Carsley is an Englishman born in Birmingham. However, he took his grandmother Irish heritage to play 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland. He decided that was his best choice. The Republic came calling for his services last year... why? Because he had represented them at international football. Allowing people to change citizenship to gain an advantage over others is wrong in my book. As Mr Weller said "you made your bed, you better lie in it"...
Watching the u21s is really well worth it. He has played quite a nice balanced style. They are really solid defensively but at the same time fluid across the front lines. They make plenty of chances but at the same time arent gung ho, they are very controlled in what they do. Very good when they gain the lead too.
I had forgotten all about Carsley playing for The Republic of Ireland. Must be his accent I would like him as next England coach, but that does give me food for thought...
I've liked your analysis of is u21 style, but I'm sure there's other Englishman out there that should be afforded the chane to represent England (as Southgate put it so elegantly). Carsley has chosen the wrong option in life. Tough.
Yeah I'm almost inclined to say I like his as an option more than Howe/Potter hearing this sort of thing. I was sceptical at first as I just assumed him and Southgate wanted the game played the same way, not sure why, and I just don't have another 8 years of that football in me.
Totally agree with this tbh. International football is the last chance for us to watch players playing for something more than money. I was at the Euros and it was fantastic seeing all the different nationalities celebrating their identity. There obviously needs to be some rules for players and think there needs to be same for managers too. Surely there are English managers out there capable of doing it. I've no problem with Carsley taking it and would much rather him than a Pep or Klopp.
Colin Cooper subtly saying on Sky Sports news that the FA need to go for an Englishman... and then dropped in Carsley Republic caps.
Peter Reid now on Sky Sports News saying everyone has an opinion, the beauty of the game, we should have been more expansive... Spanish team deserved it on the day and Gareth did a smashing job. Reid would prefer an Englishman, and believes the FA will have been aware of Gareth leaving and have a list of Englishman...
