Lee Carsley has been appointed England’s interim head coach, filling the role which has been vacant since Gareth Southgate stepped down following the EURO 2024 final defeat to Spain in July.
Carsley’s will oversee a pair of friendly matches in September against the Republic of Ireland and Finland while the FA continue to search for a permanent coach.
“It’s an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis,” he said following the announcement. “As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while the FA continues the process to recruit a new manager.
“My main priority is to ensure continuity and our goal is to secure promotion in the UEFA Nations League.”
The promotion will see Carsley leave his role as manager of England’s U21s, which he has held since 2021.
His side won the U21 European Championship in 2023, with a squad featuring a range of current England stars including Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, and Levi Colwill. Carsley has also served as a member of Southgate’s first team backroom staff at EURO 2020, the Qatar World Cup, and EURO 2024.
In moving from the youth setup to the first team role, Carsley’s career progression will mirror that of his predecessor. Southgate managed England’s U21s between 2013 and 2016 before being called upon to replace Sam Allardyce, signing on an interim basis before making the move permanent.
Carsley is not unfamiliar with interim management, with his earliest steps in first team management coming by way of two separate stints as Coventry City’s caretaker manager in the 2012/13 manager. He served as a stopgap as the club looked to replace Andy Thomas in August 2012, before returning to the club the following February as the club once again parted ways with a new coach.
He also served a caretaker stint at Birmingham City in 2017 after the sacking of Harry Redknapp. Another interim role at Brentford saw Carsley named Championship Manager of the Month in October 2015.
Carsley also enjoyed a lengthy playing career, making his professional debut at Derby County in 1994, also appearing for Blackburn Rovers, Everton, and Birmingham City, among others, scoring 33 goals in 478 appearances from defensive midfield. He was also capped 39 times by the Republic of Ireland.
FEATURED IMAGE: Michael Regan/Getty Images VIA ONE FOOTBALL
