October 13, 2024 at 04:59 AM ET
England’s interim coach, Lee Carsley, said he had not made a formal application to become their permanent coach, adding that he felt honored to have been given the opportunity to coach the first team.
Having managed the England Under-21 side since 2021 and led them to the European Under-21 Championship title last year, Carsley is overseeing England’s UEFA Nations League matches in September with a view to staying on throughout the autumn as they search for a full-time successor to Gareth Southgate.
While the 50-year-old began his stint with a comfortable 2-0 win over Ireland in the UEFA Nations League, followed by another 2-0 win over Finland, Carsley faced the first wave of criticism after England went down 2-1. Losing to Greece at Wembley on Thursday.
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“I haven’t made a formal application for him,” Carsley told talkSPORT on Saturday. “Because I was with the under-21 team.
“I’m really happy to be doing my job, but I’m an FA employee and I was asked to join the first team, which is a privilege; it’s been the proudest moment of my career so far.”
“I’ve been really honored to have the opportunity to manage the first team, I’m in a really lucky position, I’m an insider and I can see how much potential this team has.
“I’ve said all the time, it’s one of the best jobs in world football, there aren’t many jobs where you have a chance of winning, and I think the manager who comes in has a really good chance of winning and we deserve it.” Best one out there.”
England, second in Group F of the UEFA Nations League with six points from three matches, will face Finland later on Sunday.
