Manager in ‘Pole Position’ to Take Charge of England

Introduction

Following Gareth Southgate’s resignation as England manager, the Three Lions are currently without a coach. However, according to The Telegraph, England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley is now in ‘pole position’ to take interim charge of the team for the upcoming Nations League fixtures in September.

Who is Lee Carsley?

Lee Carsley is a former midfielder who earned 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland. He began his coaching career in 2020, joining the England set-up as Under-20s coach before being promoted to his current position the following year.

Last summer, Carsley led the England Under-21s to victory at the European Championship, with the team including Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, who were both also part of Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.

Interim Manager Role

Should Carsley be appointed on an interim basis, his first match will be in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland – the nation he represented as a player – on September 7. England will then face Finland three days later at Wembley.

While Carsley is being considered for the permanent role, the FA will not provide an update on the search until a final decision has been made.

Potential Permanent Appointment

If Carsley impresses during his interim spell in charge, he could be in line for the permanent manager position. The FA is reportedly impressed with his work with the Under-21s and believes he has the potential to be a successful coach at senior level.

However, the FA is also considering other candidates, including Eddie Howe, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino, and Pep Guardiola. A final decision on the permanent manager is expected to be made in the coming weeks.

Conclusion

With the Nations League fixtures approaching, the FA is expected to make a decision on the interim manager position soon. Lee Carsley is the current frontrunner, but other candidates are still in the running. The permanent manager search is also ongoing, with several high-profile names being considered.