‘I’m being clear’ insists Lee Carsley as nobody is aware of if he needs England job

Lee Carsley is determined to have no regrets when his time as interim England boss comes to an end.

And if his brave and bold decisions while in charge help or hinder his chances of getting the job full time, then so be it. Carsley believes actions speak louder than words when it comes to managing the Three Lions. Which is a good job, because he continues to talk in riddles when asked if he actually wants to be Gareth Southgate’s permanent replacement.

On the pitch, however, Carsley has turned his audition into a footballing experiment of boom or bust proportions. The 50-year-old has stamped his mark by fielding a side like the Harlem Globetrotters, just without a striker.

READ MORE: Lee Carsley stance on getting England job unclear as he gives FA ‘world class’ message

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He’s also dropped Jordan Pickford, deployed Trent Alexander-Arnold at left back and had the guts to haul superstar Jude Bellingham off during England’s 3-1 win in Finland on Sunday. The jury is still out on Carsley, but he remains on a mission to do things his way.

He said: “I am adamant, like I said the other night, to try things. To finish with no regrets, to try and put us in a position where we can keep winning.

“I’m trying my best. I don’t think it’s for me to say whether that’s good enough or not, but I think the players are enjoying playing, which is important. I’m sure, like yourselves, I work for an organisation where I can tell that I’m rated.

“It’s a big thing knowing that I’m trusted, I’m different. I’m not straightforward and I don’t want to be the same as every other coach. I’ve got a way that I think we should play, and I think we’ve got the players to play that way, which is different.”

While Carsley appreciates the work Southgate did before him, he is keen not to become a clone of his predecessor.

He said: “We spoke about it in the past, the job that Gareth did, to get us so close so many times was testament to him.

“But it’s important we try to move it forward. I don’t think it’s a case of me coming in and carrying on what they’ve done. I don’t think that would have done anyone any good.”

Carsley is down-to-earth and likeable, but he continues to avoid giving a definite answer when asked if he would take the job if offered it So does he want to be considered a candidate, or even consulted during the recruitment process?

“Oh definitely not, definitely not (on being consulted). I think it’s important that I’ve got enough, as you can probably imagine, to concentrate on without then worrying about the process.

“Do I want to be considered for the job? Well, I’m doing the job, the remit hasn’t changed, so I imagine I am being considered. I know I keep saying the same answer! But I’m being clear, I’m being clear.

“I know I’m boring you with my answers, but I spent that much time when I was caretaker manager at my other roles constantly saying ‘I don’t want the job, I don’t want the job, you need to get someone’… and i didn’t enjoy it then.”