Lee Carsley sparks further confusion on England job ambitions as Pep Guardiola gives emphatic response to question
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Lee Carsley has left fans confused over whether he wants the full-time job as England manager.
The Three Lions got back to winning ways in the Nations League on Sunday, beating Finland 3-1 in Helsinki.
Carsley admitted to talkSPORT before the game that he hadn't formally applied to become the next permanent manager of England as the Football Association search for Gareth Southgate's successor.
Now, the England interim boss has caused more confusion by giving seemingly conflicting answers on whether he sees himself taking on the role full-time.
As per the Independent, the Birmingham-born boss said after the game: "I’m reluctant [to say I don't want it] because in the past I’ve gone so far saying I don’t want the job that I don’t do the job… it’s important I keep an open mind.”
However, when speaking to ITV, he gave a different impression.
Asked about wanting the job, he said: “I've not thought that much about it. I keep saying the same thing, my remit was to do six games.
"Really, really happy with that. It's a privileged position I'm in, really enjoying it. Didn't enjoy it for the last two days [after the defeat to Greece], it was hard work.
"I'm just not used to losing in an England team and I don't take losing very well."
Pressed on whether reports about him not wanting the job being untrue, he said: "I think people are always going to try to put their chips on one side.
"I'm totally in the middle. My bosses have made it totally clear what they need from me.
“This job deserves a world class coach who’s won trophies and been there and done it and I’m still on the path to doing that.”
Carsley was appointed as interim manager in August with a view to remaining in the position throughout autumn while the FA's recruitment process for a new permanent head coach continued.
While his future remains uncertain, plenty of other names have been linked to the England job.
Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has been reported as the 'dream appointment' for the FA, but he told Italian outlet Che Tempo Che Fa that he’s not set his sights on the position.
"It's not true. I'm Manchester City manager,” he is quoted saying when asked if he’s decided he wants to be England manager. “I've not decided anything, everything can happen. So I don't know."
talkSPORT understands that former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel is keen on the role.
Newcastle's Eddie Howe has been a long-term speculated name for the job, too.
However, talkSPORT reported on Friday Howe would cost around £5million and the FA are reluctant to pay compensation when appointing a manager.
Graham Potter, formerly of Brighton and Chelsea, is also a contender.
However, talkSPORT also understands that he and Howe have not had any contact from the FA since Southgate left in July.
Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice all got on the scoresheet in Finland on Sunday, with the first goalscorer admitting after the game he'd lost a bet with Alexander-Arnold when the Liverpool star expertly fired in a free-kick to put England 2-0 up on 74 minutes.
Arttu Hoskonen grabbed a consolation goal in the 87th minute for the hosts.
Rice disagreed with talkSPORT's Stuart Pearce take that England lacked identity in the victory, with commentary host Adrian Durham also dishing out a 2/10 to one Three Lions star for Sunday's performance.
The Three Lions next face Greece on November 14 in their next Nations League game before rounding off their campaign at home to the Republic of Ireland three days later.
