How Lee Carsley’s inventory fell as England’s interim boss – and the place he’ll go from right here… supervisor was favorite for the Three Lions job earlier than nationwide anthem fury, daring ways and a shock loss led him again to the U21s

Before the FA unveiled Thomas Tuchel as the next head coach of the England men’s football team, and Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor, interim appointment Lee Carsley had muscled his way into contention for the top job.

In September, England raced into pole position in UEFA Nations League B group 2, cruising past Ireland and Finland, playing the stylish and front-footed brand of football supporters had long hoped to see.

Classy Carsley took the handbrake off. By promoting Morgan Gibbs White and Angel Gomes from the England Under 21 squad to the senior set-up, he injected life back into a team that, at times, looked stagnant under his predecessor.

But no sooner had the 50-year-old driven England into the box seat atop the group, the wheels had fallen off. Playing without a recognised striker, England bossed possession but lacked penetration as they were convincingly beaten 2-1 by Greece at Wembley.

Vangelis Pavlidis’ brace on the night exposed vulnerabilities in his experimental system. Unbalanced, indecisive and without a focal point, England’s honeymoon period with the current incumbent was cut short, and Tuchel’s appointment followed.

The former Republic of Ireland midfielder’s standing was also impacted by his refusal to sing the national anthem, with this generating significant controversy around his first game in charge in September against the country he represented.

‘It’s definitely not affected my day or preparations, I fully respect people’s opinions,’ Carsley said when defending his decision.

‘It’s something (singing the anthem) I’ve never done but I fully respect both national anthems. Today would be one of the proudest of my career to lead an England team out on Dublin.

‘You definitely couldn’t have written it.  I don’t feel hard done by or aggrieved. I respect everyone’s opinion. I played in teams when players are belting the anthem out next to me but also I’ve played in teams where players or coaches don’t sing.

‘I don’t think it makes me or anyone else who doesn’t sing any less committed.’

But, England’s divorce of free-flowing football in pursuit of pragmatism – a byword for Tuchel and his style of play – has left Carsley out in the cold. It is expected he will return to his former coaching role with the Under 21s, although that is yet to be confirmed.

And if Carsley is forced to go club football job hunting, he will have to negotiate the growing crisis facing English managers: top-flight clubs are increasingly looking to import successful coaches from the continent, and no longer feel duty-bound to prioritise home-grown candidates.

Eddie Howe is the only English manager in charge of a club in the Premier League’s top 14. When the 46-year-old inherited a struggling 19th place Newcastle side in 2021 his remit was to mastermind the club’s survival effort, not to compete for major honours.

While Carsley’s stock has no doubt dropped following England’s nightmarish defeat to Greece – ranked 42nd in the world – it is to be hoped that maybe a struggling Premier League club or upwardly mobile Championship team will appreciate his track record of developing young talent and give him a chance.

But, with his forerunner Gareth Southgate currently out of work, Carsley may wonder where he sits in the pecking order of English managers. Below Howe? Definitely. Below Southgate? Surely.

Although Southgate came under fire for his commitment to a negative, reactive and often restrictive brand of football, by delivering England to consecutive European Championship finals he became the country’s second most effective tournament manager.

By leading England into battle 102 times, maintaining a 59 per cent win percentage and coming agonisingly close to delivering the national team’s silverware since 1966, he has compiled a CV and built a reputation that far dwarves that of Carsley.

Before taking charge of The Three Lions, initially on an interim basis, in 2016, Southgate cut his teeth managing Middlesbrough and then England U21s.

In October, he highlighted that he needed time away from coaching to recover from the taxing England job and has decided to wait until next year to determine his next move.

Speaking at the ECA general assembly, Southgate said: ‘I won’t coach in the next year, for sure. I’m certain of that. I need to give myself time to make good decisions. 

‘When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time.’

However, it was speculated that he could return to management in advance of the New Year as Manchester United boss, before Ruben Amorim became the clear frontrunner to take over from Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford.

With the United job off the table, considering elite Premier League sides’ predisposition for up-and-coming foreign coaches, Southgate’s return to club management could come at a team outside of the top 10.

If Howe and Southgate must build from the bottom of the Premier League to gain a seat at the top table, Carsley has every right to worry about where his stock lies away from the comfort and the security of the FA system.

There will surely be concerns about his ability to make the transition from international football. During his time as interim England boss, Carsley has shown a preference for technical players.

In drafting Jack Grealish back into the starting fold and calling on previously uncapped Gomes to start alongside Declan Rice in midfield, Carsley has relied on skilful midfielders’ adept at receiving the possession in tight spaces under pressure.

During his time in the FA set-up, he has achieved success overseeing the development of England’s finest young talent, with his highlight being leading the Under 21 side to European Championship glory in 2023.

In the current managerial climate, Carsley’s next managerial venture will likely take place outside of the Premier League, or at least with a club fighting to stay in the division.

So, while Carsley was criticised for his stubbornness against Greece, his next move will be an opportunity to prove his adaptability and worth as a top-level manager.