'I definitely don't feel comfortable' - Lee Carsley speaks on England interim position after Finland win - Eurosport

Lee Carsley acknowledged that he still doesn't feel entirely at ease in his position as England manager, even though he has successfully guided the Three Lions to victory in his first two games.

Carsley, who is currently serving as the interim manager after Gareth Southgate's exit, has led the team to wins against Ireland and Finland in their first two Nations League matches, both finishing with a score of 2-0.

Carsley has followed in Southgate's footsteps, moving from coaching the under-21s to taking on the role of senior team manager. He achieved significant success last year by winning the European Championships, where his team defeated Spain 1-0 in the final, thanks to a decisive goal from Curtis Jones.

Nonetheless, Carsley, who has had brief experiences managing at the senior level, has expressed that he still doesn't feel completely comfortable in his role as the England manager.

“I really don’t feel at ease in this position,” Carsley stated to ITV following the victory against Finland.

"I've certainly stepped outside my comfort zone during this international period. It's been a rewarding experience, but I've had to ensure that I deliver top-notch performance every single day alongside my colleagues."

"We aim to do our best, and we've had the luck to achieve two positive outcomes so far. Now, it's all about leveraging those successes to move forward."

Liverpool's right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had difficulty showcasing his skills with Southgate on the international scene, excelled when playing in a "different role," as noted by Carsley.

“Tonight, we utilized Trent in a slightly different role, and Rico [Lewis] also performed outstandingly,” Carsley shared.

"Trent has showcased a wide range of passing skills and the knack for managing the game from deeper positions, while also making his way into more advanced areas. It’s no shock to witness him perform like this for Liverpool this season and throughout his entire career."

In the meantime, Kane, who scored twice, expressed his strong desire to continue finding the back of the net for England, even as he has faced some criticism during Euro 2024.

Kane draws motivation from Ronaldo as he prepares to achieve his 100th cap for England.

Kane expressed, "It was a significant evening for me."

"I’m genuinely thrilled to have achieved my 100th cap; it’s something I’ve been hearing a lot about lately. As you know, I’m the type who always wants to contribute by scoring and assisting the team, so it felt fantastic to do that today. When people doubt you during your career, it only fuels your desire and resolve to show them—and yourself—that you can continue to compete at an elite level."

"I have full confidence in my ability to find the back of the net, particularly in a team that provides so many opportunities. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead."

After the match, the temporary manager and his top forward shared their thoughts about one another during their interviews.

"I believed he scored his two goals quite impressively," Carsley remarked about Kane.

Photo courtesy: Getty Images

It was a significant moment for him. His children and wife were present, which must have been quite an emotional experience. I'm genuinely thrilled for Harry. The way he has carried himself this week, and likely every time he represents England, truly merits all the praise he's about to receive.

"This week, I’ve seen that he’s really driven to represent England and find the back of the net. Having a striker who has scored so many goals is a real asset, and I hope that trend keeps going."

Kane praised Carsley, stating, "He brings a fantastic vibe."

He often emphasizes the importance of freedom and leveraging your strongest skills, as well as pressuring and disrupting the opposing team even when we don’t have possession of the ball. We've executed this approach effectively in our last two matches.

"Certainly, there are areas where he can enhance his skills, but this is a solid beginning for him, and collaborating with him has been a wonderful experience."

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