What next for Lee Carsley and England?

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Lee Carsley’s temporary tenure as England's manager concluded with a decisive 5-0 victory against the Republic of Ireland, securing their promotion back to League A in the Nations League.

Carsley, who was appointed for a short six-game stint after Gareth Southgate's exit, will now pass the reins to Thomas Tuchel, who will start his new position in January.

In this section, the PA news agency examines the various issues related to the England team.

How Did Carsley Perform?

When the 50-year-old was moved from his role as the Under-21s manager to take over after Southgate's departure following Euro 2024, his main goal was to bring England back to the upper ranks of the Nations League. It all came down to the final match, but he successfully led the team to five victories out of six. The only blemish on their record was a 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley last month, but otherwise, Carsley's England team has seemed very confident. Scoring 16 goals in six matches demonstrated their eagerness to be aggressive and take the initiative. Carsley showed a strong determination to follow his own approach, even if it ruffled some feathers. Whether it was opting not to sing the national anthem or benching the nation's all-time leading goalscorer for the most critical game in the group, he was resolute in his methods—arguably one of the most daring caretaker tenures in recent history.

Winners During Carsley's Tenure: A Look Back

Considering his role as the Under-21 manager, it's not surprising that Carsley decided to provide opportunities for younger talent. He introduced eight players to the national team, allowing Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes, Lewis Hall, Morgan Rogers, Curtis Jones, Tino Livramento, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis to make their debut. These young players were chosen over more experienced teammates, leaving those veterans to worry about their prospects with England.

What's Next For Carsley?

Carsley expressed his enthusiasm about going back to work with the Under-21s and is determined to defend the European Championship title that the Young Lions secured in 2023. His achievements with the senior national team have led to speculation about club opportunities, particularly the open position at Coventry, where he previously played as a midfielder. While he has relished his time with the senior team, he might feel that continuing in his current role could be the best way to eventually return to a permanent position there in the future.

Carsley is set to give the keys to the new permanent manager, Tuchel, and the two are expected to meet shortly for the transfer of responsibilities. Although Tuchel's official 18-month contract begins on January 1, he might attend some Premier League matches beforehand to observe and get to know the players on his team.

What Will His First Camp Be Like?

The German coach will lead his first game in March, but we won't know who they will face or the match format until December when the World Cup qualifying draw takes place. If England ends up in a group of five teams, Tuchel will kick off his tenure with World Cup qualifying matches. However, if they're placed in a group of four, he will start with two friendly games to ease into the role.

"Who Will Benefit From Tuchel’s Arrival?"

Marcus Rashford and James Maddison were entirely ignored during Carsley's brief time in charge, and they will be hoping that a new manager might breathe new life into their international careers. Meanwhile, Harry Maguire, Nick Pope, and Eberechi Eze all experienced being sidelined at different points during the autumn international matches. Reece James and Ben Chilwell, the Chelsea full-backs, will likely be excited about Tuchel's return, especially given their previous successful stint together at Stamford Bridge, where Hall also got his chance in the first team under the German coach. Harry Kane didn't have the best experience with Carsley, having been unexpectedly benched for the match in Greece, so he may be looking forward to reconnecting with the manager who brought him to Bayern Munich last summer.