Lee Carsley has been named as the interim manager for the England national football team for the upcoming Nations League games in September. The Football Association (FA) is still in the process of finding a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, who resigned after England’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
Carsley, who is currently the manager of the England Under-21 team, has been chosen for the role due to his familiarity with the players and his experience in international football. He expressed his commitment to ensuring continuity and emphasized the team’s goal of securing promotion in the UEFA Nations League.
A former Premier League midfielder, Carsley played for clubs like Derby and Everton during his 17-year career. He transitioned into management and had caretaker spells with Coventry, Brentford, and Birmingham before taking charge of the England Under-20 team in 2020. He then became the manager of the England Under-21s and led them to victory in the European Championship in 2023.
Carsley’s first test as interim manager will be when England travels to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland on September 7th, followed by a home match against Finland three days later. His appointment is seen as a strong interim solution by the FA, and they have expressed their gratitude to Carsley for stepping up while they continue their search for a permanent head coach.
The FA has a history of appointing temporary managers from within their own ranks. Howard Wilkinson, Stuart Pearce, and Southgate himself have all taken charge of the senior team after managing the Young Lions. Southgate eventually secured the job permanently and had a successful tenure, including reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 and the quarter-finals in 2022, as well as the finals of the Euros in 2021 and 2024.
While the FA continues its recruitment process, Ben Futcher will replace Carsley as the manager of the England Under-21 team. The respective backroom teams for both squads will be confirmed in due course.
Overall, Carsley’s appointment as interim manager provides stability and continuity for the England national team as they navigate the Nations League games. His experience and familiarity with the players make him a strong choice, and the FA is confident in his ability to lead the team effectively. As the search for a permanent head coach continues, England fans will be eager to see how the team performs under Carsley’s guidance.