Lee Carsley, the current England Under-21 manager, has emerged as the leading candidate for the interim role as England’s manager for the upcoming Nations League games. While some of the biggest names in football have been linked to the position, Carsley’s success with the U21 side and his style of play make him a strong contender for the permanent role.
Carsley’s U21 team won the European Championship last summer, playing an attractive brand of football that was dubbed ‘Carsball’ on social media. He encourages his players to express themselves and trust their decision-making, resulting in fluid and attacking football. His team consisted of technical players like Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones, and Morgan Gibbs-White, who were given the freedom to build up with the ball.
One of the criticisms of former manager Gareth Southgate was his inability to effectively utilize England’s attacking players. Carsley’s style of play suggests that he could be the coach to fit together the country’s exceptional right-backs, such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kyle Walker, and Reece James, along with players like Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham.
Carsley’s man-management skills have also been praised by his players. Anthony Gordon, who was named the player of the tournament in the U21 European Championship, called Carsley the “best man-manager” he has had in his career. Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott described him as an “unbelievable manager.” These testimonials highlight Carsley’s ability to connect with and motivate his players.
However, the role of England manager comes with increased media scrutiny and the need to handle off-field issues. Southgate excelled at managing difficult topics, but Carsley would have to adapt to the statesman-like role expected of the England manager. His experience with the media during the U21 European Championship showed that he is guarded but willing to discuss tactical aspects of the game.
In terms of managerial experience, Carsley has served as caretaker manager for Coventry City and Birmingham City, as well as having a 10-game stint as interim head coach at Brentford. While he has limited experience at senior level, he has demonstrated success in these roles, winning five of his 10 games as Brentford’s interim manager. Carsley’s focus on development football during that time suggests he values player growth and could bring that mindset to the England set-up.
Ultimately, Carsley’s success with the U21 side and his style of play make him a strong contender for the permanent England manager role. While he may lack the senior-team experience of other candidates, his ability to connect with players and his tactical approach could bring a fresh and exciting dynamic to the national team. As he continues to impress, it will be interesting to see how Carsley’s managerial career unfolds.