Lee Carsley makes major U-turn with brutally honest admission over England job

England’s interim head coach Lee Carsley seemingly suggested that he is planning to return to his role with the Under-21 team after suffering an embarrassing loss to Greece

Lee Carsley admits he is “hopeful” that he will return to his role with the England Under-21s following Thursday night’s chastening 2-1 defeat against Greece.

The 50-year-old was handed the England job on an interim basis after Gareth Southgate stepped down following Euro 2024 in the summer and made a promising start with victories against the Republic of Ireland and Finland last month.

He had suggested during September’s international break that he was keen on taking the top job full-time. But he hit back at reports claiming the role was his to lose before implying he wanted to return to the 21s.

“I was quite surprised after the last camp in terms of the job’s mine and it’s mine to lose and all the rest of it,” Carsley said after the match, which the visitors won in the 94th minute.

“My remit has been clear. I’m doing three camps, there’s three games left and then hopefully I’ll be going back to the 21s. It’s had almost no impact.”

When Carsley was then asked to clarify his comments, he insisted he ‘wouldn’t rule himself in or out’ of the running for the senior job. He held the role of Under-21s head coach since July 2021 and won the European Under-21 Championship back in 2023.

He added: “I said at the start I wouldn’t rule myself in or out. That’s still the case. I’m more than comfortable in my position, where I am. The remit was clear. I’m comfortable and confident with that. After the first camp I didn’t get too excited or believe too much. I’m very aware that this job is one of the best jobs in the world.

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“Nothing’s changed. My remit was to do the three camps and then to hand over. Nothing’s changed in what I said in the first press conference. It’s a fantastic job. I’m lucky I’ve got a good job as it is in the 21s. But after the first camp when we won two games and had two good performances nothing changed.

“It’s important that I give it everything I’ve got for the next three games. I’m really happy and comfortable with the communication I have with my bosses. Nothing’s changed in that respect.”

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