Following a disheartening 2-1 defeat to Greece, England’s interim head coach, Lee Carsley, hinted that he may be preparing to return to his previous role with the Under-21 team.
After Gareth Southgate stepped down post-Euro 2024, Carsley took the reins temporarily and initially made a strong impression with victories against the Republic of Ireland and Finland. However, the recent loss against Greece, which culminated in a last-minute goal, left him reflecting on his future.
“I’m hopeful I’ll return to the Under-21s after this stint,” Carsley shared, expressing disappointment over the latest outcome. “I was quite surprised to hear all the talk about the job being mine to lose after the last camp.”
He made it clear that his mission was straightforward: complete three matches and then likely hand over the senior squad. “My remit has been clear. There are three games left, and then hopefully I’ll be going back to the Under-21s. This defeat has had almost no impact on my plans,” he stated.
When pressed for more details about his ambitions for the senior role, Carsley maintained a diplomatic stance. “I wouldn’t rule myself in or out of the running for the senior job,” he said, having held the Under-21 head coach position since July 2021 and leading the team to victory in the European Under-21 Championship in 2023.
“Nothing’s changed in my approach. My job is to focus on these three camps, and I’m fully committed to that. I know this position is one of the most prestigious in football,” he added.
Carsley emphasized the importance of giving his all for the remaining games, saying, “I’m really happy and comfortable with the communication I have with my bosses. My remit remains unchanged, and I’m lucky to have a great role with the Under-21s.” As England faces its next challenges, all eyes will be on how Carsley navigates his interim tenure and the potential shift back to his former role.
