- Lee Carsley has been appointed as the new interim manager of the England men’s team
- FA bosses hugely impressed with U21 coach’s progress
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Lee Carsley has been appointed interim manager of England for next month’s Nations League matches.
The FA directors have been hugely impressed with the progress the Under-21s coach has made since taking over in 2021, and he is one of the front-runners to replace Gareth Southgate on a permanent basis.
Carsley will take charge of matches against Finland and the Republic of Ireland, for whom he played at the 2002 World Cup, with the FA revealing the decision will allow him to stay on throughout the autumn.
The former Everton midfielder secured England’s first international trophy in 39 years when he led the Young Lions to victory at last year’s European Championship in Georgia.
Carsley achieved that with a tactical style that has won plaudits and now gets the chance to audition for the seat vacated by Southgate. Given his coaching background, it gives the FA time to assess their options.
Former Everton midfielder Lee Carsley has been appointed interim football manager of the England men’s team
Carsley will replace Gareth Southgate (pictured) ahead of England’s upcoming Nations League matches
Harvey Elliott and Rico Lewis were among those to praise the 50-year-old last summer, while Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon said he was the best manager he has ever worked under.
The FA’s technical director, John McDermott, has been working hard to retain Carsley after the success at the European Championships, playing for England and Ireland and trying to lure him away from the England squad.
Carsley spoke to FAI executives last year but decided to stay, and now he has the chance to impress as number one.
“It is an honour to step down and lead this England team on an interim basis,” he said. “Given my knowledge of the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while the FA continues the process of recruiting a new manager.
People like Harvey Elliott (right) and Rico Lewis have spoken highly of the 50-year-old this past summer
FA technical director John McDermott has fought hard to retain the Irishman after success at the European Championships
‘My main priority is to ensure continuity and our goal is promotion to the UEFA Nations League.’
The FA chief executive Mark Bullingham added: ‘Lee is a fantastic coach who will be familiar to the majority of our current senior squad, having worked with most of them at international or club level.
“He offers us a very strong interim solution and we are confident that he will perform well in the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches. We are grateful to Lee for leading the team as we continue our recruitment process.”