It’s hardly all over bar the shouting but the job as England’s next permanent manager is surely Lee Carsley’s to lose.
Success with the Three Lions at the European Under-21 Championship last year has led the Football Association to appoint him as interim boss for this month’s Nations League matches, starting with the trip to Dublin to play the Republic of Ireland on Saturday and followed by the visit of Finland to Wembley on Tuesday.
The FA say Carsley was appointed ‘with a view to remaining in the position throughout the autumn’ and there are potentially four more internationals, two in October and another couple in November, for Carsley to stamp his authority and make it impossible for Wembley chiefs to look elsewhere.
The former Everton and Derby midfielder has already made some bold moves by introducing to his first squad a slew of players he has worked with in the young Lions set-up such as former Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes, now impressing with Lille, Manchester City gem Rico Lewis, Chelsea duo Levi Colwill and Noni Madueke, Nottingham Forest attacker Morgan Gibbs-White and Newcastle defender Tino Livramento.
Jack Grealish also makes a welcome return after missing out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s plans for Euro 2024 in Germany in the summer but Carsley has already attracted the criticism, which is part and parcel of being in the hot seat.
There was dismay at the exclusion of Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton while Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was flabbergasted Morgan Rogers is in the Under-21s.
Results are obviously going to be important in Carsley’s chances of getting the job on a full-time basis but if he sticks to his attacking principles, playing an entertaining, high-octane dynamic game rather than Southgate’s safety first, rather tedious strategy, it will massively boost his chances of reaping impressive rewards.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola would be the first choice for the role if he were inclined to accept the challenge and his contract at the Etihad expires next summer, while Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is also an acceptable candidate.
However, Pep could easily decide to stay with City or take a break from the game and it would cost a hefty sum which the FA may be reluctant to surrender to lure Howe away from the Magpies.
Former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter, who is a free agent, would surely have already reached agreement with the powers that be to fill the vacancy if he was truly in the running, leaving Carsley in pole position for win the job on a permanent basis as 2/1 with bet365 and Betfred.
• Joe Root can lead England to a clean sweep in the Test series with Sri Lanka by being their top batter in the final fixture at The Oval at 7/2 with Paddy Power and Betfair. Surrey paceman Gus Atkinson, who took seven wickets at Lord’s including five for 62 in the second innings to seal victory at Lord’s, will be even more dangerous on his home track and is 3/1 with the same firms to be the hosts’ top bowler.
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