Who is Lee Carsley? U21s boss set to become England interim manager

08/07/2024 09:27 AM

Lee Carsley is reportedly set to be appointed as England interim manager as the search for Gareth Southgate’s successor continues.

Over three weeks on from the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain and Southgate’s heartbreaking resignation, we’re a little closer to knowing who will take over the Three Lions.

While the FA do not wish to rush their decision, someone needs to be in dugout in a month’s time for England’s next games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the Nations League.

The Telegraph are among those reporting that England U21 boss Carsley is set to take interim charge of the senior team while the FA continue to evaluate their options, which will also give the 50-year-old a chance to try out for the job.

Carsley is among the frontrunners to become the national team manager alongside the likes of Eddie Howe, Pep Guardiola, Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel.

So who is the interim boss to be? Here’s everything you need to know about Lee Carsley:

Who did Lee Carsley play for?

Carsley came through Derby County’s academy, making his senior debut in 1994.

The defensive midfielder went onto have a 17-year playing career in the Premier League and Championship, enjoying spells at Derby, Blackburn Rovers, Coventry City (twice), Everton and Birmingham City.

Though born in Birmingham, Carsley was eligible to represent Ireland on the international stage through his grandmother.

He won 40 caps with them between 1997 and 2008, and was part of the squad that went to the 2002 World Cup.

Lee Carsley’s managerial record

Upon retiring at Coventry in 2011, Carsley became their U18s manager and would later have coaching roles at Sheffield United, Manchester City and England’s youth teams.

He would also have caretaker spells in charge of Coventry (twice), Brentford and Birmingham, winning 10 of 24 games in that time.

After a year with the England U20s, he was appointed U21s boss in 2021 – the role Southgate had before he became Three Lions manager.

His record with the Young Lions is impressive, winning 23 of 29 matches so far (a 79% win percentage), and he was in charge for their European Under-21 Championship triumph in 2023.

England beat Spain in the final and didn’t concede a single goal throughout the tournament, with a squad that featured Anthony Gordon, Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones and Cole Palmer.

Lee Carsley’s preferred tactics and formation

According to Transfermarkt, Carsley’s most used formation is an attack-minded 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

He has experimented with a 4-1-4-1 and 4-4-2 at times, notably using the latter in the final against Spain, with Palmer and Gordon starting up top in the absence of a natural No.9.

With England’s squad overflowing with attacking midfielders like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Palmer – something that became a problem for Southgate at the Euros – Carsley could use this tactic again.

Next England manager odds

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