England next permanent manager odds after unconvincing Lee Carsley audition

Lee Carlsey has led England to three wins and a defeat in the Nations League (Picture: Getty)

England sit second in their Nations League group after four matches and Lee Carsley’s mixed audition for the manager’s job has left supporters and pundits divided.

Carsley took over the reins on an interim basis in mid-August after Gareth Southgate stepped down from the position in the wake of England’s runners-up finish at Euro 2024.

The 50-year-old had excelled in charge of the Under-21 side and replaced Southgate with a view to remaining in the role throughout the autumn while the FA’s recruitment process rumbles on.

Back-to-back victories over the Republic of Ireland and Finland – which saw England showcase a free-flowing brand of football – prompted some calls for Carsley to be given the job permanently.

But Carsley faced strong criticism following a shock 2-1 defeat at the hands of Greece, with the bold decision not to field a recognised centre-forward in an experimental starting XI backfiring at Wembley.

After England’s win over Finland on Sunday, Carsley suggested that he may not be the ‘world-class’ coach that the team requires going forward.

‘My bosses have made it totally clear what they need from me,’ the ex-Everton midfielder told ITV.

‘This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and been there and done it. I’m still on the path to doing that.’

Ex-Chelsea manager is the bookies’ favourite to become England boss (Picture: Getty)

Carsley has not ‘formally’ applied for the permanent role of Southgate’s successor given he is already an FA employee and it remains to be seen whether he will be handed the responsibility for the long-term.

One thing’s for sure: rumours and speculation will continue to swirl until an official appointment is made, with the likes of Thomas Tuchel, Pep Guardiola, Graham Potter and Eddie Howe all linked.

At the time of writing, Carsley finds himself second on the list of favourites for the permanent position, based on Betfair’s odds.

‘After England’s latest round of international fixtures Thomas Tuchel is the new 8/15 favourite to take on the role,’ Betfair spokesperson Sam Rosbottom said.

‘With Lee Carsley looking increasingly unlikely to take the job, Pep Guardiola (6/1) and Graham Potter (15/2) are big-name alternatives.’

Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane urged the FA to ‘go after Pep’ in the wake of England’s victory over Finland, with the Spaniard out of contract at Manchester City in the summer.

Keane has encouraged England to ‘go after’ Guardiola (Picture: Getty)

But Guardiola has repeatedly batted away questions linking him with the England job and refused to rule out the possibility that he could extend his stay at the Etihad at the weekend.

Asked whether he is set to become the next England manager, Guardiola replied: ‘No, that’s not true.’

‘If I had decided something I would say so. Anything is possible.’

Jurgen Klopp is another name repeatedly mooted as an option for England, but the ex-Liverpool manager categorically ruled himself out of the running back in July.

‘At the moment, there is nothing at all in terms of jobs. No club, no country,’ the German said at the International Coaches’ Congress.

‘England? That would be the biggest loss of face in the history of football if I said I’ll make an exception for you.’

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