Lee Carsley: England's interim manager impresses in first press conference - Reporter Notebook
Lee Carsley has experience winning big competitions on the international stage, which could make him a strong candidate for the senior England manager position. One of his main tasks would be to show the FA officials that he has the skills to represent the team well in the media.
In order to achieve this goal, Carsley's initial press conference as temporary leader was a major triumph.
He seemed more like a temporary manager than just someone looking after the team temporarily. It became more apparent when Carsley expressed his desire to make his mark on the team.
His experience coaching teams from around the world was clearly evident when Carsley's U21s clinched the European Championships last year. He has already gained the admiration and support of England's younger players. If he were coaching young athletes in countries like France or Spain, that success alone might be enough to land him the head coaching position. In England, though, the expectations are unique.
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Carsley's forerunner, Gareth Southgate, went through the same steps - from managing the U21 team to temporarily leading the senior team. Eventually, Southgate appeared defeated after facing harsh criticism. Carsley is confident that he can handle similar challenges, just like Southgate did. However, Southgate was not only a skilled politician but also an exceptional public speaker.
Reluctant Interviewee Shines Under Pressure
Serving as the head coach of the men's national team in England goes beyond just coaching duties. The person in this role must be able to confidently address challenging topics, such as racism and human rights issues in Qatar, during their tenure.
They also need to represent the national sport's governing body, act as a diplomat, and excel at managing people. The chosen individual should be tough, determined, confident, and outspoken. These are the qualities that FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will be closely observing in Carsley.
As a player, Carsley was not a fan of participating in media interviews. He understood that it was part of the job, but he was not naturally skilled at speaking in front of the camera. However, he did improve and become more at ease with interviews during his time as a caretaker manager at Coventry, Brentford, and Birmingham, as well as in his less high-profile role as manager of England's U21s.
Here at St George's Park, Carsley handled the pressure of being a manager for the first time with ease and garnered positive attention from the media.
At the beginning of the interview, he had written some notes and occasionally looked at his iPad for reference. However, he made a strong impression with his initial statement, expressing his clear sense of pride in his new role as the head coach of the national football team.
As the audience asked more football-related questions, Carsley became increasingly interactive and appeared to be enjoying the discussion. He skillfully avoided directly answering my inquiry about his long-term goals for the position, although it was evident that he does have a desire to hold it.
When the question was asked again during the news conference, he jokingly replied, "I believe I should focus on winning some games first, don't you think?!" This elicited a chuckle from the gathered media.
Moving Past Southgate's Methods
In his initial response, he made it clear that he would not blindly follow Southgate's strategies and team choices. While he respected his predecessor and acknowledged the progress made by England under his leadership, he asserted his independence and self-assurance. Diplomatic? Check. Confident? Absolutely.
Carsley was not afraid of the responsibility that comes with the role. He stated that whoever becomes the new England manager must aim to win a major tournament. He believed that the players currently available are capable of achieving this goal. John McDermott, the FA's technical director, would have agreed with this mindset.
Carsley made some tough decisions in his first squad selection, showing that he is prepared to make important choices. Marcus Rashford and James Maddison were not immediately brought back into the squad, but Carsley made it clear they were still being considered. He explained that other players were better prepared for the upcoming Nations League matches. Jack Grealish did receive a call back, with Carsley noting that he has something to prove.
Is Trent Alexander-Arnold considering playing as a defender or a midfielder in the future? The answer was clear: "He is a right-back." However, Carsley noted that as a skilled full-back who excels at playing with the ball, Alexander-Arnold could also have an impact further up the field, similar to his role at Liverpool.
In one decisive action, he addressed many lingering debates from his predecessor's time.
When Kieran Trippier, one of the key players and leaders in Southgate's team, decided to retire from international football, it was not a sudden decision due to being left out of the England squad. The Newcastle player had actually made the choice shortly after the Euros final. Despite this, Carsley emphasized the importance of having experienced and skilled players in the team.
The solid core of the England team, consisting of Jordan Pickford, James Maguire, John Stones, Declan Rice, and Harry Kane, remains a key factor in the squad. It is highly likely that these players will make up the foundation of Carsley's starting lineup for the upcoming match in Dublin.
Maguire was brought back into the team after his injury, which prevented him from playing in Germany. Carsley emphasized that he would count on their resilience and leadership qualities, specifically mentioning Maguire and Stones.
Refreshing Youth Influx From England's U21 Experience
Carsley has shown trust in the up-and-coming young talents of English football, who will eventually surpass the seasoned veterans. Five players from Carsley's U21 team were chosen for the senior squad - with four of them making their debut in the senior squad.
Morgan Gibbs-White, who led the junior team under Carsley, stood out in the absence of injured Jude Bellingham, chosen instead of Maddison to play in the No 10 position. Carsley had nothing but praise for the Nottingham Forest player, describing him as "dynamic, imaginative, thrilling, with a great attitude and strong work ethic, making him a tough opponent."
He mentioned that Gibbs-White has already achieved success with England in terms of winning trophies, which is an important factor to consider.
The way Carsley talked about Angel Gomes' tactical skills was really interesting. He said that Gomes' small size actually helps him on the field, along with his great balance and skill with the ball. Carsley also had smart things to say about another newcomer, Noni Madueke.
Carsley mentioned that after trying out managing a club, he finds that coaching at the international level is the most suitable for him. He enjoys the abundance of talent available in the English elite game and the difficulty of selecting individuals from that group to create a team that can achieve great success.
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And when it came to staying strong - he wouldn't let it bother him at all, he mentioned, if he was faced with the same kind of examination and previous mistreatment that Southgate had endured. He was prepared for it.
Overall, Carsley should feel content with his first day of actual work in his new position. He has chosen a practical team, mixed with many fresh and innovative young players. He extended a gesture of goodwill to the veteran players he decided not to include, and expressed his expectations for what he believes his team can accomplish in the coming days.
Even more remarkable was how he answered with such authenticity and passion. His performance likely caught the attention of FA executives. Wins against Ireland and Finland in the next two weeks will only solidify his qualifications even more.
