Lee Carsley snubbed for Saipan film role but hopes to write Hollywood movie script with Euros sequel with England U21s

LEE CARSLEY knew nothing about a potential role in new movie Saipan — but he is desperate to write his own Hollywood script in Slovakia.

The England Under-21s boss was part of the Republic of Ireland’s 2002 World Cup squad that witnessed the huge row between boss Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane.

In fact, it was Carsley and Jason McAteer that had to face the media the day after the explosive incident, which led to Keane walking out on the team.

A trailer for the movie, starring Steve Coogan as McCarthy, has set tongues wagging.

Unfortunately for Carsley, despite Oliver Coopersmith being cast to play McAteer, producers felt there was no place for the Young Lions chief.

But the 51-year-old is more concerned about leading England to a second-straight Euro crown, with a semi-final against the Netherlands tonight.

Carsley said: “Holland are a team that we’ve been watching now for a while.

“They’re very attacking, very expansive in the way they play.

“Technically very good. I really like the system that they play as well.

“We’ve spoken about making sure the Spain game can’t be the highlight of our tournament.

“So the players are really determined.

“We’ve had a good couple of days training. We’re looking forward to the game now.”

After Carsley’s side slapped Spain 3-1 in the quarter-finals on Saturday, he is now hoping they produce another masterclass to sink the Dutch.

He said: “Ideally and I’ve spoken to the players about it, you want to coach a team where you watching them play and you’re enjoying watching them. That Spain game and the second half of the Germany game, you are on the side, enjoying watching the players play and expressing themselves.

“You want foreign journalists to speak about our players the way we sometimes speak about their players, in terms of their technical ability or the way they can take the ball.

“We’re definitely changing that perception of English players.”

Holland coach Michael Reiziger has been impressed by the Young Lions.

His side beat Portugal 1-0 last time out despite Ruben van Bommel’s 21st- minute red card.

Reiziger said: “They’re not playing in a typical English style.

“They are playing really well with a lot of good quality and they are growing into the tournament. 

“It will be a tough game but that is logical.

“We’ve watched every match of England.

“Two strong teams that love to play football, two teams that have quality.

“It is going to be an interesting game. We have some comparison with England.

“We started not that well but are getting better every time, resulting in the fact we won a game with ten men.”

After over two decades of misery in penalty shootouts, Sir Gareth Southgate helped instil a no fear factor into England players, with the seniors winning three of their last four.

And Carsley insists his lads are ready for penalties if it comes down to it tonight. He said: “There’s more of an awareness of penalties and the technique and structure that goes behind a shoot-out.

“We are fortunate to have a lot of players who take penalties for their clubs.

“It is very difficult to replicate the walk from the halfway line to the penalty spot, especially if you are not used to it.

“It’s something Gareth pushed which filtered down the pathway.

“It is so important because of the amount of resources thrown at the senior team to be the best at shootouts.

“That awareness of how important they are has definitely trickled down and we have benefited from that.”