Lee Carsley is confident that the Football Association (FA) will make the right choice in appointing the next permanent manager for the England national team, following Gareth Southgate’s departure.
Carsley, who currently serves as interim manager, led England to a 2-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland in his first match in charge during their UEFA Nations League campaign.
As he prepares for England’s next match against Finland on Tuesday at Wembley Stadium, Carsley expressed trust in the FA’s decision-making process, stating that they will ultimately choose the best candidate to take the national team forward.
Carsley’s interim role comes amid ongoing speculation over who will succeed Southgate as England’s permanent manager.
However, the former England U21 coach remains focused on the tasks at hand, emphasizing that his priority is to do his best during this period, rather than worry about his long-term prospects.
“I try not to think about myself too much,” Carsley mentioned in a pre-match press conference before the Finland game.
“The best person should get the job. I know my role for the next three camps and I am comfortable with that.”
While the search for a new manager continues, Carsley is keen to concentrate on maintaining the momentum from England’s successful start in the Nations League.
His side’s 2-0 win over Ireland showcased a solid performance that he hopes to build on as the team faces Finland.
As England prepares for their home game, Carsley expressed optimism about the team’s readiness and hinted at possible lineup changes to keep the squad fresh.
“We’ll make two or three changes, freshen things up a bit,” Carsley said.
“The group is really motivated, and we should be excited for the game, especially at a ground like Wembley.
I want us to play with control and be exciting to watch. Fans expect England to create chances at home and play with a high tempo.”
The interim boss also provided an update on the squad’s fitness, assuring that all players are in good shape for the upcoming match.
Despite the limited time he’s had with the squad, Carsley praised their openness to adapting new strategies while respecting the strong foundation already in place.
“We’ve had six sessions, and there are one or two things we’ve tried to implement.
There were already a lot of good things happening, and we’ve made a few adjustments.
The players are open to being a bit more risky in certain areas, but we don’t ask them to be in a position they’re not capable of,” he explained.
Carsley emphasized that his focus is on the players rather than himself, aiming to ensure that the team continues to progress and perform well.
“I’m aiming to do a good job each day and see where it goes.
The players should be getting the attention. I’m really excited for the game.”
With the entire squad fit and ready, Carsley is hopeful of securing another positive result against Finland, continuing England’s strong start to their Nations League campaign.
