Interim boss Lee Carsley admits England must now deliver with 'unique' generation of stars

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Evening Standard

·29 August 2024

Interim boss Lee Carsley admits England must now deliver with 'unique' generation of stars

Carsley insists he is not thinking about chances of getting job full-time

Lee Carsley insists “someone needs to get the absolute best” out of a “unique” generation of England players.

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The 50-year-old announced his first England squad on Thursday since becoming interim manager after predecessor Gareth Southgate resigned.

Southgate’s side were beaten by Spain in the final of Euro 2024 last month, and there is a belief that England are blessed with a capable group of players capable of getting over the line and winning a major tournament.

Carsley has stepped up to become England’s interim manager after three years in the job as England under-21s manager.

Asked whether he wants the senior gig full-time, he said: “To be honest, I’ve not really thought about it that much. Honestly I’ve not.

“My priority is just doing a good job. Ultimately this is up there with the best jobs in football. We’ve potentially got a unique period of time — which will pass — where we’ve got some outstanding players. Someone needs to get the absolute best out of them.

“We have done so far, because we’ve got to the latter stage of tournaments. We’ve been so close. The best person for the job will do it [full-time].

“I think people are really excited about the future. Just missing out in the final, people know that we’re close.”

Speaking about the enormity of taking on the England job this autumn, Carsley revealed: “There has been once or twice and I’ve been in the car and my mind has wandered off and it sort of hits you… the responsibility. You’re maybe listening to the radio and they’re talking about England and you’re thinking: ‘That’s interesting! I might need to listen to a bit more of that!’ But my life is pretty similar [to before].”

Carsley added: “I still am really proud of being the Under-21s head coach. I love that job. It’s a great job.

“If this [interim period] were to end, as soon as I walked out of the door I’d be more than happy handing it over to whoever. I understand what the objectives are for the next three months and that’s to do as well as we can in the Nations League.”

Asked whether he has been asked by the FA whether he wants the job, Carsley simply replied: “No.” And quizzed on whether he would happily return to his U21s job, he insisted: “Yeah, definitely.”

The former Republic of Ireland international, who faces the nation in his first match in charge on September 7, explained his process for selecting an England squad.

“Form is really important,” Carsley said. “[It] can take away a lot of the gamble when a player comes into the building. They are up to speed [and] playing well.

“Some players are really good for the group. They help other players, whether that be the level of training in terms of intensity or just the ability to play in different positions.

“Ideally you always want to pick players who are in form. We have a bit of that balance in this squad. I don’t think it would be easy to say you would only pick players who are in form. Ideally, yes, 100 per cent. That is what I would want, but you need that balance as well.”