Former Birmingham City midfielder Lee Carsley is set to take over as England’s interim manager for the Nations League matches in September.
The FA is now looking for a replacement for Gareth Southgate, who quit his position following England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Since Southgate’s departure, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter have been mentioned as potential replacements.
Howe is still at Newcastle United, while Potter, who formerly managed Chelsea, is still unemployed. However, the FA has yet to agree on the best choice to lead the Three Lions into the future, so Carsley, the Under 21s manager, will temporarily take over.
Carsley is a former St Andrew’s favourite making nearly 50 appearances and having a brief stint as caretaker manager.
England will meet the Republic of Ireland and Finland in Nations League games in September. As reported by The Telegraph, Carsley appears to be asked to lead the senior team, pitting him against the country he represented 40 times while playing, according to the Mirror.
Carsley has been in charge of the Under-21s since 2021, after originally joining the FA system as an under-20s head coach before being elevated.
Last summer, he led the under-21s to victory in the Euros, with senior talents Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer. One of his former players, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, has already endorsed Carsley.
The midfielder voiced complete faith in the coach, saying, “Absolutely. Lee is an outstanding manager and person. He is prepared to take responsibility. There have been a lot of large clubs sniffing after him, which is a testament to his abilities and coaching.”
He also shared his feelings about playing for England: “Whenever I step on the pitch for England I just have freedom to enjoy my football. I feel like he is ready. They are conversations for them (at the FA).”
While Lee Carsley is regarded as a strong possibility to take over the England team temporarily, the FA must still determine who will be the long-term manager. Following the September internationals, England will meet Greece and Finland again in October’s Nations League matches.
The year closes with rematches against Greece and Ireland in November, before the emphasis moves to 2025 and the expected commencement of the qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.
