England interim head coach Lee Carsley has described himself as a “safe pair of hands” and refused to be drawn on whether he wanted the role on a permanent basis after announcing his first squad on Thursday.
The 50-year-old has assumed a caretaker role following Gareth Southgate’s decision to step down after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain in July.
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Carsley, who began working with the Football Association (FA) in 2015 and steps up from his position as under-21 boss, will be in charge for four matches across September and October, starting with next month’s UEFA Nations League double-header against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Asked how he found out he would be offered the temporary position, Carsley said: “Gareth had made his decision and it was probably a couple of days later when myself and [FA technical director] John McDermott had a conversation, very informal.
“We speak most days anyway, [this time] basically about what my thoughts were, I suppose if it was something I was not willing to do, but capable of, because it is a big responsibility.
“The fact I’ve worked with so many players, I understand an international camp, I understand selection. I probably see myself as maybe a safe pair of hands at the minute. It was a really easy decision, a really proud moment.
“I’ve always said all along I feel really supported and trusted, not only by John but the rest of the people on the board have made me feel so supportive, I don’t feel like its me and my decision. I feel like I’ve got a really strong team of staff behind me that are part of this little period.”
Lee Carsley will take charge of the next four England matches. Joe Giddens/PA Images via Getty Images
The FA are drawing up a list of possible candidates, which includes Newcastle boss Eddie Howe and former Chelsea manager Graham Potter, but have refused to confirm whether interviews have yet taken place.
Pushed on whether he would take the job if it was offered to him tomorrow, Carsley replied: “It’s probably important I see how the games go! The priority for me… I know it is probably a boring answer but the best person is going to get the job, the best person deserves to do this job. There are some brilliant coaches out there, some excellent head coaches and I trust the people involved in the process that they will get the best person.
“I’ve not really thought too much about it if I’m being honest. I’ve learned in the past when I was caretaker manager at Brentford, Coventry, Birmingham City, I spent so much energy talking about why I didn’t want the job that you forget to do the job.
“Maybe because I’m 50 now, I’m a bit more relaxed and comfortable in my skin. I’m happy to help out, happy to do the best job that I can and we’ll see what happens in the future.”
Carsley revealed he spoke with Southgate — who managed England at four tournaments — prior to his appointment being made public.
“I spoke to him after [I took the job], probably just before it was going to come out. I wanted him to know what was happening before it actually broke. That was important for me. I’ve got so much respect for Gareth and Steve [Holland], the way they made my job and made me feel, the help and support they gave so it was important I spoke to them.
“It has been a really hectic couple of weeks to try and get my head around the magnitude of the job, getting around to as many games as I can, trying to see as many players as I can.
“I’ve been lucky in the past in that I’ve done this before in taking over from a short-term point of view at club level.
“Generally you go to a club where things aren’t going very well but obviously this is the opposite. I think it is fair to say the job that Gareth and Steve did and the position I’m picking up the squad in is totally different to what they inherited.
“The expectation around the squad and the players is pretty exciting. I understand that I am in a really privileged position.”
