Stellar interim job may give Carsley future England shot

Eight debuts, five wins and one regret managing senior side

- RICHARD JOLLY

Lee Carsley ended his time in charge of England with a 5-0 win over Ireland. The big screens at either end of Wembley displayed the thoughts of the FA, which seemed echoed by the England team: “Thank you.” And yet, Carsley suggested, goodbye may not be forever.

He will retreat into the shadows, where an unassuming man often seems most comfortable, to return to the lower-profile task of managing the Under-21s.

But Thomas Tuchel only has an 18-month contract. Carsley can see himself as the anti-Tuchel, without the charisma or the powers of communication, the medal collection or the spells in charge of superpower clubs. He hands over to the German, offering to give him a comprehensive debrief, but with a renewed belief he could be his successor.

“I think it has given the staff and myself the confidence that we can do the job,” he said. “That is the big thing. You always doubt yourself, whether you can do it or not.” That hint of frailty may not come from Tuchel. Carsley has an everyman quality, a normality and a fundamental decency. Elite managers often do not doubt themselves. Not publicly, anyway.

Carsley is different. “It is tough and I suppose you get used to that awkwardness and that bit of nerves,” he said. “I’m sat in the house and I’m constantly thinking of the next camp and the next squad and who’s playing well. Constantly watching Greece and Ireland, unhealthily watching the opposition.”