With Eddie Howe committed to Newcastle United, Lee Carsley is set to be named as interim England manager according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster says their information is that the current England Under 21s boss will be in charge for September’s matches.
Sky Sports stated that Lee Carsley will be the one naming the England squad in three weeks time.
Then in just over four weeks time, England will play away against the Republic of Ireland and then home to Finland, both of these fixtures are Nations League games.
Friday 2 August was the deadline set by The FA to put their England manager application in and whilst Eddie Howe had been the bookies favourite pretty much ever since Gareth Southgate announced he was stepping down, it is now Lee Carsley who is the favourite, Graham Potter second favourite. The penny dropping for most that Eddie Howe isn’t interested, as he has drifted out to 5/1 third favourite.
Whilst Sky Sports claim that the interim appointment of Lee Carsley will then give them time to properly talk to all candidates they have an interest in, my take on it is that The FA will simply use this as a soft way of handing the job permanently to Lee Carsley. So long as Carsley and the England players don’t mess up these Repubif of Ireland and Finland matches, I can’t see anything other than them stepping up Lee Carsley from the under-21s to the senior job on a long-term contract.
Lee Carsley was in charge when England under 21s won their Euros competition back in summer 2023, when Anthony Gordon was named player of the tournament.
Sky Sports report – 7 August 2024:
‘Lee Carsley: England U21s boss in line to take interim charge of England senior side for September’s fixtures
England U21s boss Lee Carsley is in line to take charge of the England men’s senior team for next month’s Nations League matches, as the FA continues its process to appoint a long-term successor to Gareth Southgate.
Southgate resigned two days after England lost the European Championship final against Spain, and the next England squad to face Republic of Ireland and Finland is due to be named on August 29.
With that timescale, it is thought the FA is minded to give England U21s manager Carsley the senior role on a short-term basis, as it carries out an exhaustive period of due diligence on a host of possible candidates.
Sky Sports News has been told the FA has yet to speak formally to many of the candidates on its shortlist. It is clear the governing body will take its time to make the right appointment.’
The FA advert for the next England Head Coach – 19 July 2024:
We are currently overseeing a highly targeted process to appoint the next Head Coach of the England Men’s Senior Team.
England Men’s Senior Team Head Coach (NFCSGP0377)
Division:Men’s Technical
Location:National Football Centre, St George’s Park
Closing Date:2 August 2024
Our succession planning process has already identified a number of candidates; in addition to this we are committed to open recruitment processes in the football industry and are interested in hearing from individuals who meet the following criteria:
THE ROLE
Lead and develop the England senior men’s team to win a major tournament and be consistently ranked as one of the top teams in the world.
Provide inspiring leadership to a world class, multi-disciplinary technical team based at St. George’s Park.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with clubs who employ English qualified players.
THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
Will hold a UEFA Pro License.
Will have significant experience of English football, with a strong track record delivering results in the Premier League and/or leading international competitions.
Will be an exceptional leader who understands and will enjoy the international football environment.
Will be experienced in successfully identifying, managing and developing English qualified players.
Will be highly resilient and comfortable in a very high-profile role with intense public scrutiny.
Will have a track record of creating a high performing, positive team culture and environment.
Will have strong personal values and integrity and understand and embrace the role that the England Men’s Senior Team Head Coach has inspiring the nation.
OUR VALUES
Aim HIGH
Achieve TOGETHER
Embrace DIFFERENCE
Should you want to register your interest and you meet the criteria above, please do this via email to mannie.neville@thefa.com
This is a private address, and should you meet all the criteria you will receive a response.’