What's happened
Lee Carsley, appointed as interim England manager, navigates uncertainty following a mixed performance in the Nations League. Despite a recent win against Finland, questions remain about his future and the search for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, with names like Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel in the mix.
What's behind the headline?
Current Situation
- Carsley has led England through three Nations League matches.
- His recent win against Finland has somewhat alleviated pressure after the loss to Greece.
Future Prospects
- The FA is reportedly considering high-profile candidates like Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.
- Carsley emphasizes the need for a world-class manager, indicating he may not be the long-term solution.
Player Support
- Key players, including Declan Rice, express confidence in Carsley’s management.
- Rice noted that the squad is not affected by the uncertainty surrounding Carsley’s future.
Implications for England
- The ongoing managerial search could impact team morale and performance.
- A clear direction is needed as England prepares for future competitions, including the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
What the papers say
According to Simon Peach in The Independent, Carsley has been clear about his temporary role, stating, 'This job deserves a world-class coach that has won trophies.' Meanwhile, Jonathan Veal highlights that players like Declan Rice feel supported under Carsley, emphasizing that the squad is focused on performance rather than managerial uncertainty. David Hytner notes that the FA is maintaining a confidential process for selecting the next permanent manager, which adds to the ambiguity surrounding Carsley's future.
How we got here
Carsley took over as interim manager in August after Gareth Southgate's departure. His tenure has included a mix of results, with a notable loss to Greece and a subsequent win against Finland, raising questions about his suitability for the permanent role.
Go deeper
- What are the chances of Carsley becoming the permanent manager?
- Who are the other candidates for the England manager position?
- How have players reacted to Carsley's coaching style?
More on these topics
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Lee Kevin Carsley is a former professional footballer who is head coach of England U21.
In a playing career lasting 17 years, he is best remembered for his spells as a midfielder in the Premier League and Football League with Everton and Derby County.
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Finland, officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the west, Russia to the east, Norway to the north, and is defined by the Gulf of Bothnia to the west, and the Gulf of Finland of the
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Gareth Southgate OBE is an English professional football manager and former player who played as a defender or as a midfielder. He is the manager of the England national team.
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Jack Peter Grealish is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger or as an attacking midfielder and captains Premier League club Aston Villa.
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Declan Rice is an English professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder or centre back for Premier League club West Ham United and the England national team.
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Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, known also as Hellas, is a country located in Southeast Europe. Its population is approximately 10.7 million as of 2018; Athens, the nation's capital, is its largest city, followed by Thessaloniki.
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England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
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The UEFA Nations League is a biennial international football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the member associations of UEFA, the sport's European governing body.
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Josep "Pep" Guardiola Sala is a Spanish professional football manager and former player, who is the current manager of Premier League club Manchester City. He is considered to be one of the greatest managers of all time.