England interim manager Lee Carsley has said he is “keeping an open mind” on taking the permanent position after stating that the role required a “world-class coach who has won trophies”.
50-year-old Carsley was named England’s interim manager in August after Gareth Southgate stepped down from the role and he has taken charge of the four subsequent Nations League matches, winning three.
Carsley guided England to a 3-1 victory in Finland on Sunday — three days after overseeing a 2-1 home defeat against Greece — having said on Saturday that he had not formally applied to become the next manager.
The former central midfielder, who has been England’s Under-21 coach since 2021, told his post-match press conference in Helsinki that he was keeping an open mind on the role.
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That came after Carsley told ITV Sport when asked if he would like to remain manager beyond November: “I haven’t thought that much about it. My remit was to do six games and I am very happy to be in that privileged position. The last few days have been hard work because I don’t take losing very well.”
When pressed if he had ruled himself out of the role, Carsley said: “People are always going to put their chips on one side, but my bosses have made it totally clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies, been there and done it. I am still on that path.”
The England interim manager was asked to clarify his “world-class coach” comment in his press conference, and whether that might mean a non-English manager.
“The point I was trying to make was the fact that this is a world-class job,” Carsley said. “This will be up there with the best jobs in football. So whoever gets it is going to be at a high level.”
When asked if he was reluctant to say yes or no to taking the permanent job, Carsley replied: “I’m definitely reluctant because, in the past, when I’ve done this interim role, I’ve gone so far down the ‘I don’t want the job’ that I’ve actually not done the job.
“It was one of the things that I spoke about when I was asked to take temporary charge — that it’s important that I keep an open mind. Because, in that case, then I’m not being reckless with my decisions.
“It’s a privilege to do this job. I feel well trusted. It’s a great job. And whoever gets it will be fully deserving.”
England will return to action on November 14 with an away match in Greece in the Nations League before concluding their group campaign three days later with a home game against the Republic of Ireland.
(Joosep Martinson – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
