Why Carsley deserves to be in the mix for England job

U-21s boss has tasted Euro glory, is on same career path as Southgate and likes to attack

- Dom Smith

GARETH SOUTHGATE’S resignation on Tuesday after eight years as England manager gives the FA a problem they had hoped to avoid.

FA chiefs wanted Southgate to stay on for the 2026 World Cup, unwavering in their belief he remained the best man for the job.

Instead, his exit has accelerated the process of finding his successor, which was already bubbling away behind the scenes.

While high-profile names such as Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and, more outlandishly, Pep Guardiola have been mooted this week as debate builds over who could be next, the lesser-discussed Lee Carsley must be taken seriously as a highly-plausible candidate.

Carsley is well regarded by the FA, having guided England Under-21s to European Championship glory last summer, when they defeated Spain in the final and earned plaudits for their front-foot style of play.

The FA are understood to be openminded about Southgate’s successor, yet it could count in Carsley’s favour that, if appointed, he would be following the same path that Southgate himself took in 2016, from U-21s manager to the senior job.