Lee Carsley all but rules himself out of England manager’s job – then appears to change his mind minutes later
LEE CARSLEY sparked fresh confusion over the England manager’s job by appearing to rule himself out — then back in again minutes later.
The interim boss last night claimed the Three Lions deserve a “world-class coach who has won trophies” and that he is “still on the path to that” after England’s 3-1 Nations League win over Finland.
But the 50-year-old Brummie then insisted it was “definitely” wrong to assume he does not want the job permanently.
It left fans none the wiser as to whether the former Under-21 boss — who has three wins in four games of a six-match caretaker spell — truly wants the gig full-time.
Carsley was first asked at full-time about reports on Saturday that he is not interested in his role being made permanent.
He said: “People are always going to try and put their chips on one side.
“I’m in the middle. My bosses have made it clear what they need from me. This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that.”
But when later pushed on whether the permanent role was too soon for him, he said: “Definitely not. I tried to make it as clear as I could.
“My remit was for three camps. I’m not part of the process but it deserves a top coach.
“The players we have available, we’ve got a real chance of winning.
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“That was the point I was making.”
Carsley’s latest cryptic answers came after Thursday’s claim he would “hopefully be going back to the Under-21s” in the wake of the shock 2-1 defeat to Greece.
England player ratings vs Finland
ENGLAND secured a commanding 3-1 win over Finland following their horror show at home to Greece
Here’s how SunSport’s Tom Barclay assessed the Three Lions’ stars performances.
Dean Henderson – 6
Only his second cap after long-time No1 Jordan Pickford was dropped. Not a lot to do, but pretty assured when he was called into action, including a smart, first-half stop to repel a Benjamin Kallman strike – even if the Finn was later flagged offside. Could do little to prevent Finland’s goal.
Kyle Walker – 6
After the calamity against Greece, it was no surprise to see Lee Carsley turn to his most experienced defender. Now just nine caps shy of a century, Walker was solid. Could have had an assist late on but his cushioned down header was poor.
John Stones – 6
England’s more conventional system meant the defence was far less exposed – though Carsley’s attacking approach did still see the Finns create chances. Stones made a good early block to deny Kallman after Angel Gomes gave the ball away.
Marc Guehi – 6
Our best defender in the Euros group stages, Guehi was back in here with Levi Colwill dropping out. Pretty assured for a player who by his own admission has not started the season particularly well for his club.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
We saw him in midfield at the Euros, and here the Liverpool right-back was shunted to left-back. Looked vulnerable defensively at times but who cares when he produces such quality on the ball – epitomised by his terrific free-kick to kill off this game.
Angel Gomes – 8
The big success story of the Carsley era, however long it lasts, has been bringing Gomes into the fold. He created Jack Grealish’s opener with a beautiful, flicked-pass round the corner and was excellent in possession – barring one sloppy early pass.
Declan Rice – 7
Looked far more comfortable with Gomes playing in behind him, as opposed to the one-man defensive operation he was forced to put up against the Greeks. Looked proud as punch after stroking home England’s third from Watkins’ cross.
Cole Palmer – 5
Played in a more familiar wide right position compared to his central-midfield experiment against Greece. Yet it reduced him to a peripheral figure, adding more questions than answers as to where best to deploy him, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.
Jude Bellingham – 6
The Real Madrid superstar played off Harry Kane and had the occasional, exciting link-up with Grealish, but this was not one of his more memorable games overall.
Jack Grealish – 8
No doubt will be hoping Carsley does get the job full-time as his fellow Brummie seems to appreciate his talents. His composed finish was his second goal in three games under Carsley – doubling his overall haul from 39 caps.
Harry Kane – 6
Cap 101 for the captain but not one he will remember particularly fondly. He offered the presence the team lacked against Greece when they played with no striker, but did not get much of a sniff in front of goal.
Subs
Noni Madueke (for Palmer, 69) – 7
This game was made for him to make an impact off the bench and he almost teed up Watkins after one fine run but the Finns cleared.
Ollie Watkins (for Kane, 69) – 7
Low cross for Rice’s third was right on the money.
Rico Lewis (for Gomes, 80) – 6
Slotted in at centre midfield when coming on and looked busy.
Phil Foden (for Bellingham, 80) – 5
Embraced the post ruefully after Madueke opted to shoot instead of crossing to him for a tap-in seconds after Finland’s goal. Was marking Arttu Hoskonen when the Finn headed home a consolatio.
Conor Gallagher (for Rice, 89) – 6
His first appearance under Carsley but too late to make an impact.
Lee Carsley – 7
His tactical gamble backfired against Greece but he held his hands up and went more conventional here. It paid off as England were relatively comfortable – although his teams have looked defensively vulnerable at times in all four of his games and this was no different.
But the three best players, Gomes, Grealish and Alexander-Arnold, were all given starring roles by Carsley when used sparingly or not at all by predecessor Gareth Southgate – and for that, the interim boss should take credit.
Last night he pointed to previous caretaker roles at Coventry, Brentford and Birmingham for his reluctance to commit.
He said: “In the past when I’ve done this caretaker-interim role, I’ve gone so far down the ‘I don’t want the job’ [road], that I’ve not done the job.
“It’s important that I keep an open mind because in that case I’m not being reckless with my decisions, I’m thinking thoroughly about the squad I should pick.
“Selection is very difficult, the amount of players I have to leave out.”
Carsley, who led the Under-21s to Euros glory last year, said the Greece defeat was “really disappointing” as he is so used to winning with England.
He also understood why his enigmatic answers would frustrate fans.
The former Everton midfielder said: “I can definitely understand why you would be frustrated by it.
“Clarity is what everyone is looking for.
“I’m constantly saying to John McDermott [FA technical director], ‘Can I have an update? Can I have an update?’
“The job is difficult enough as it is.”
Angel Gomes revealed that even the players do not know what their interim manager wants.
The Lille midfielder, 24, who teed-up Jack Grealish for the opener, said: “It’s difficult to gauge.
“He’s very happy and comfortable in coaching for England, whether it’s the first-team or U21s.
“But ultimately, we don’t know for the foreseeable.”