England interim boss Lee Carsley lets slip he is 'hopeful' of returning to under-21 set-up

Lee Carsley, Interim Head Coach of England, looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium on October 10, 2024 in London, England.
(Image credit: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Lee Carsley may have let slip his current thinking on taking the England job full time - only to go on to insist he is keeping an open mind about what the future may hold.

The England under-21s boss has taken over from Gareth Southgate on an interim basis to oversee England's Nations League campaign while the FA hunt for a more permanent successor.

Carsley got off to a winning start with back-to-back 2-0 wins over Ireland and Finland last month, but a 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley immediately led some to wonder if his audition for the full-time job may have already gone awry.

Lee Carsley: 'Wouldn’t rule myself in or out' of England job full-time

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Lee Carsley, Interim Manager of England, looks on during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between England and Finland at Wembley Stadium on September 10, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) England Nations League squad

Lee Carsley has taken charge of three England games on a caretaker basis (Image credit: Getty Images)

As reported by the Guardian, Carsley said after the game: “I was quite surprised after the last camp in terms of the job’s mine and it’s mine to lose and all the rest of it.

“My remit has been clear: I’m doing three camps, there’s three games left and then hopefully I’ll be going back to the U21s. It’s had almost no impact.”

BURTON UPON TRENT, ENGLAND - AUGUST 13: Lee Carsley poses for a photograph in his new position as Interim Manager for the England Senior Team at St George's Park on August 13, 2024 in Burton upon Trent, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Cole Palmer of England poses for a photo with the award for England Senior Men's Player of the Year at St Georges Park on October 08, 2024 in Burton-upon-Trent, England.

Lee Carsley packed his midfield on Thursday evening with no recognised striker in the starting line-up (Image credit: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Pushed for more detail, Carsley added: “I said at the start I wouldn’t rule myself in or out. That’s still the case. I’m more than comfortable in my position where I am.

"The remit was clear. I’m comfortable and confident with that. After the first camp I didn’t get too excited or believe too much. I’m very aware that this job is one of the best jobs in the world.

“Nothing has changed. My remit was to do the three camps and then to hand over. Nothing’s changed in what I said in the first press conference. It’s a fantastic job. I’m lucky I’ve got a good job as it is in the U21s.

"But after the first camp when we won two games and had two good performances nothing changed. It’s important that I give it everything I’ve got for the next three games. I’m really happy and comfortable with the communication I have with my bosses. Nothing’s changed in that respect."

Why Angel Gomes Is The EXACT Player England Have Been Missing

England will travel to face Finland on Sunday before going to Greece and hosting Ireland in next month's round of Nations League games.

Carsley was in charge of England U21s' Euros victory last year, where a side featuring now-senior internationals Levi Colwill, Angel Gomes, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon saw off Spain 1-0 in the final thanks to Curtis Jones' winner.

Steven Chicken

Steven Chicken has been working as a football writer since 2009, taking in stints with Football365 and the Huddersfield Examiner. Steven still covers Huddersfield Town home and away for his own publication, WeAreTerriers.com. Steven is a two-time nominee for Regional Journalist of the Year at the prestigious British Sports Journalism Awards, making the shortlist in 2020 and 2023.

TOPICS