Lee Carsley’s “spooked” response to criticism and reluctance to reveal whether he wants the permanent England job could hinder his chances of succeeding Gareth Southgate, Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany tells Sports Mole.
Lee Carsley‘s reluctance to reveal whether he wants the permanent England job, as well as his “spooked” response to criticism, could hinder his chances of succeeding Gareth Southgate, according to Manchester City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany.
The 50-year-old has now taken charge of four matches as interim head coach of the senior England team since Southgate decided to step down from his post following the Three Lions’ defeat in the final of Euro 2024 in July.
After winning his opening two UEFA Nations League games in September against Finland and the Republic of Ireland, Carsley’s decision to experiment with his England side backfired in a shock 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium last Thursday.
Carsley received widespread criticism for his selection and tactical approach, but England returned to winning ways on Sunday with a 3-1 victory away against Finland, courtesy of goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice.
Following that win in Helsinki, Carsley was once again reluctant to confirm or deny whether he would be interested in stepping up from his current role as England’s Under-21s boss to become the nation’s senior manager on a permanent basis.
His public evasion of indicating any desire to coach the Three Lions on a full-time basis has only intensified confusion and uncertainty about his future, and McInerney believed that this approach from the Birmingham-born boss may not help his cause if he truly wants the job.
Carsley ‘can feel the sharks circling’ amidst England criticism
McInerney has been complimentary of how Carsley has got the best out of Man City players on international duty, including Grealish, as well as providing first-team opportunities to a number of new players such as Angel Gomes, but he has doubts over whether the Football Association will ultimately give England’s current interim boss the full-time job.
Speaking to Sports Mole, McInerney said: “It’s tough on Lee Carsley, because the leap in publicity that he’s having to cope with, I would argue, it’s ridiculous. I don’t think anything prepares you for that. He’s so intensely in the spotlight.
“Things felt really positive before this international break for him, and he suddenly felt how quickly the sharks can circle and if they taste any blood. I saw an awful lot of criticism for him after the loss against Greece, and deservedly so, England were poor, but you quickly realise how vindictive it can get at times, about him not being good enough and naive.
“(Against Greece) he tried something. It was bold, it was brave, there was an awful lot of attacking talent on the pitch. It was a little bit disjointed in hindsight, but international football is ruthless, especially when you’re manager of England.
“Any mistakes that you make will be held up as evidence against you for an awful long time, and that was the first taste he’s had of that pack of wolves coming to his door and banging it down.
“I do feel [the criticism] probably spooked him a little bit. England were fine against Finland. They got the result they deserved. They weren’t perfect, Finland still had plenty of chances, but England probably just about deserved it. It was more of a traditional team (Carsley selected).
“I do think he’s been really smart in introducing Angel Gomes in particular into the team. I think it’s an inspired choice and it’s a brave choice that I couldn’t imagine Gareth Southgate making, if I’m being totally honest. I don’t think Carsley is afraid to make these tough choices.
“But it’s such a hard job and I don’t feel currently he’ll be giving it permanently. I might be wrong there – I don’t mind either way, I’m quite relaxed about it – but I feel [the FA will] go for someone of a higher profile who maybe has a little bit more experience.”
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McInerney: ‘Carsley must be given time as England boss’
Asked whether Carsley is right to experiment with the England side during this transitional period if he wishes to be named the permanent boss, McInerney said: “Whether we like it or not, this is his pre-season as a manager. He has to try and make these experiments.
“He has to try new players because we’re here where we are because people felt that it wasn’t working. So what did people want, for him to play the exact same way that Southgate did or try something different?
“A lot of football fans, and I’m guilty of this too, they want to have their cake and eat it. They want everything. They want new ideas and new young players, but they also want success and consistency and familiarity at the same time. It’s not possible.
“Carsley has to make these changes. He has to try and introduce some new players like Rico Lewis, Valentino Livramento, Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, people like that. He has to bring new drive and hunger into the squad.
“At the same time, people have to be patient. We have to trust his sincerity as a manager that he’s trying [to experiment with the team] because he feels that it could be best for England… I think we’ve lost sight of patience in football and I think it’s because there’s so much football.
“I think we forget just how little time he’s had to get his hands on that team and build it. It feels like football’s going on forever. It feels like he’s been in control of England forever and he hasn’t. It’s been a handful of sessions.
“He needs time. Will he get that time? Depends on the results. You can make as many experiments as you want. You could play Dean Henderson up front and people wouldn’t care as long as England were winning, largely, until that urge for entertaining football comes in as well, where you want to win and then you want to show that we’re also dominating.
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‘It will be very difficult for Carsley to please every England fan’
“It’s such a hard job to find the perfect balance. I don’t think anyone’s going to be happy. You can’t please all the people all the time, especially not in this country where everyone is so out to get the manager, because they have their own strong views, and this football tribalism leads into young fans preferring their players over their players. It’s just so messy.
“I think [Carsley is right to experiment] because that’s what any manager should do. Do I think it’ll be easy? No. Do I think people are going to be patient with him? Absolutely not, which is not fair, but that is just the reality of it and I think he knows that, too, hence why he made the comments after the Greece game that he might not be quite as bold, which to me is a red flag, actually.
“I feel he’s showing that he’s very aware of the expectation and I think he was a little bit spooked by the reaction to trying that and I think that’s a bit of a crying shame that he feels that he already needs to pander a little bit to the crowd, because as soon as you start doing that, you make compromises and if you’re making compromises you’re not being yourself fully, and that unfortunately is what got him in the job.
“The expectation is there of course at youth level, but it’s nowhere near as high (as with the senior team) and he was fully free to go about and try what he wanted with the Under-21s and the young players would probably be more receptive, but that’s just not the reality. It’s just going to be very difficult for him to please people.”
As things stand, Carsley remains in the running to become England’s next permanent manager, while high-profile names including Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel, Eddie Howe and Graham Potter have also been linked with the Three Lions’ vacancy.
Carsley will take charge of England’s final two Nations League matches away against Greece and at home to the Republic of Ireland in mid-November, before the FA make a final decision on his future.