Lee Carsley, Short Position In The England National Team With Big Services

Lee Carsley did his job well as interim manager of the England National Team (Instagram/@england).

JAKARTA - Lee Carsley had doubts about England supporters after losing against Greece 1-2 at Wembley last month.

The 50-year-old coach also began to doubt his capacity to support the senior team Three Lions because he did not have enough experience.

Carsley did manage to bring England U-21 to the Euro U-21 champion in 2023. However, he feels that he does not yet have a profile to lead Europe's top club with a title that is a benchmark for appropriateness to control the Three Lions.

When expressing his intention to return to England U-21, the English Football Federation (FA) announced Thomas Tuchel as the new manager as of January 1, 2025, replacing Gareth Southgate, who withdrew after Euro 2024.

Carsley was relieved. However, he did not want to complete his duties as an interim manager with a minor note.

He proved himself with a short position, he was also able to make an important contribution.

Three games after losing to Greece at home, England crushed the remaining three parties in the UEFA Nations League with a win.

Three Lions silenced Finland (3-1), successfully revenge against Greece (3-0), and beat the Republic of Ireland (5-0).

England finally promoted directly to League A, aka without a playoffs. This makes Tuchel's job next year easier.

Carsley gave a smooth transition. Not only giving up a solid team, his belief in promoting young players made Tuchel have many choices going forward.

The 50-year-old coach was able to get through an injury crisis with a row of young players.

England captain Harry Kane agreed that Bahw Tuchel would benefit from Carsley's decision to recruit young players.

"It was a very important win for us. It was a very good camp and two difficult games."

"We managed to complete the task in Greece and at Wembley. The first half was tough, but we looked more excited and finished well."

"(Lee Carsley) is the best coach, he and the whole staff. After Euro 2024, it won't be easy to go straight into the UEFA Nations League and sometimes the motivation is a bit less."

"I'm very happy we won and ended it well," Kane told ITV.

At least eight pillar players withdrew from the England national team due to injuries last week. Starting from Bukayo Saka, Cole Palmer, Levi Colwill, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Aaron Ramsdale, to Declan Rice.

Carsley's situation was difficult before visiting Greece and hosting the Republic of Ireland. In the end, he called for foreign names.

Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) received the first call with Tino Livramento, James Trafford, and Jarrad Branthwaite.

Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), and Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton) who are flagship players in England U-21 were promoted to the first team and became a mainstay.

The three names are the players who brought England U-21 champions Euro U-21 2023.

Interestingly, Carsley made his squad give their best potential. Jarrod Bowen, Anthony Gordon, Curtis Jones, to Harwood-Bellis cheated with the contribution of the goll.

"Some good and very fun finish for Jarrod (Bowen) to come in and score a straight goal," Kane said.

The choice is now getting rich. Thomas Tuchel was presented with many names when he started his duties during the 2026 World Cup Qualification in March 2025.

Lee Carsley, with his brief term of office, has contributed to the England national team. He will return to England U-21, handing over the baton to lead Jude Bellingham and colleagues to Tuchel very smoothly.