Lee Carsley has expressed confidence that the Football Association (FA) will appoint the best possible manager for England’s national football team, following his own positive start as interim boss. Carsley, who took charge temporarily after Gareth Southgate’s departure, oversaw a 2-0 win against the Republic of Ireland in England’s opening UEFA Nations League match.
As he prepares for England’s next fixture against Finland at Wembley Stadium, Carsley is focused on the task at hand, while also placing his trust in the FA to find the right person to lead the team permanently.
Despite his successful debut, Carsley is not concerned with whether he will be considered for the role full-time. Instead, he emphasized the importance of finding the most suitable candidate for the job. “I try not to think about myself too much,” Carsley told reporters in the lead-up to the Finland match. “The best person should get the job.
I know my role for the next three camps, and I am comfortable with that.” His pragmatic approach reflects a focus on team performance rather than personal ambitions.
Carsley also provided an update on the state of the England squad, noting that all players are fit and available for selection ahead of Tuesday’s match against Finland.
He highlighted the importance of keeping the squad sharp and ready for action. “We’re mindful that we’ve had six sessions, and there are one or two things we’ve tried to implement,” he said. “There were a lot of good things happening already, and we’ve tried to make a few adjustments.” Carsley explained that his goal has been to make the team a bit more daring in certain areas while ensuring players are not put into roles that don’t suit their abilities.
The interim manager also emphasized that his priority is to do a good job with the time he has, focusing on daily improvements. “I’m aiming to do a good job each day and see where it goes,” he said. “The players should be getting the attention.
I’m really excited for the game.” Despite the uncertainty around the long-term managerial position, Carsley is keen to maintain focus on the players and their development.
Looking ahead to the match against Finland, Carsley revealed that he plans to make a few changes to the lineup in order to keep the squad fresh. “We’ll make two or three changes, freshen things up a bit, but the group is really motivated, and we should really look forward to the game at a ground like that,” he said, referring to the iconic Wembley Stadium.
He also spoke about his vision for the team’s style of play, wanting England to be both in control of the game and entertaining to watch. “I want us to play with that control and be exciting to watch. Fans expect England to create chances at home and play with a tempo,” he added.
Carsley’s comments suggest that he is focused on making the most of his temporary role while allowing the FA to take its time in selecting Southgate’s permanent replacement. His confidence in the FA’s decision-making process reflects his belief that the right leader will be found to guide England in the future.
Meanwhile, he is fully committed to getting the best out of the current squad and delivering results in the matches ahead. With all players fit and ready, Carsley is optimistic about the upcoming game and is determined to keep England on the right path during his tenure.
