The contradiction with Lee Carsley is that he is a normal man who feels mysterious in a football context. Managers at the highest level are supposed to be egomaniacs, but Carsley has almost seemed allergic to taking any credit for tactical triumphs during his time as England’s interim head coach. The 50-year-old has never wanted to be the story. He prefers the focus to be on his players.
But managing England is unlike anything else. The scrutiny is intense, and not only when it comes to team selection. A pile-on lurks behind every corner. Carsley learned that the hard way before facing the Republic of Ireland in his first game two months ago, sparking an absurd reaction with his refusal to sing the national anthem.
And since then? Carsley was pilloried after playing Jude Bellingham as a false 9 in England’s defeat by Greece at Wembley last month. He has experimented, making bold calls and dropping senior players. He put his reputation on the line on Thursday, benching Harry Kane when England visited Greece in a game they had to win by two goals to restore their hopes of an automatic return to the top tier of the Nations League.
Lose in Athens and Carsley would have been pilloried for dropping Kane. Seven minutes in, though, the gamble was vindicated after Ollie Watkins set an inexperienced England on the path to a 3-0 win at the Olympic Stadium.
Only, Carsley was as modest as ever as he discussed the rollercoaster of managing England on Saturday. He returns to the under-21 setup after hosting Ireland on Sunday evening – victory will guarantee top spot in Group B2 – and was asked if he is relieved he will not be in the spotlight any more. “Good question,” he said. “I’m not sure. I don’t know. I have become used to that bit of it now. Just as I have got used to it I am going back. Any praise that I got has been deserved. Any negative comments were also deserved, especially after the Greece game at home.”
At this point it is worth noting that Thomas Tuchel, who takes over from Carsley on 1 January, is a walking ego. The German has managed some of the biggest clubs in the world and won the Champions League with Chelsea. Tuchel relishes the pressure and the fame, whereas Carsley has rarely looked comfortable when a microphone has been shoved in his face.
Equally Carsley has backed himself to make the right calls, so is it fair to assume that his courage has been underestimated?
“I don’t feel brave at all,” he said. “I try and look beyond myself. The players have got to come first. I wouldn’t want to put the players in a position where they fail, in terms of expecting too much from them at such an early stage. I’ve tried to get the balance right, but I wouldn’t say brave.
“The best coaches, managers, teachers that I’ve ever had would be people that looked beyond themselves. I don’t think I could play well for a manager that thought he was better than me or thought he was the most important thing. That wouldn’t work for me. I try to coach like that.”
Carsley considered whether his life has changed since replacing Gareth Southgate last summer. “I still go to the group football on a Friday with my lad and stand there behind the goal and fetch the balls for the kids,” he said. “It makes me laugh that everyone’s got an opinion on the team. I’m on the road a lot, so service stations is where I seem to get the most advice. Some of it is good, some of it is not so good. I seem to meet a lot of West Ham fans. I was in a queue in a Starbucks and a fella was talking about the false 9 and the tactics after the Greece game. I just wanted a soy latte.”
It is weird to hear from a manager who is not fussed about people calling him clueless. Try suggesting to Tuchel that he got his tactics wrong. There is no rage with Carsley, no cult of personality. Talk of a job in club football is nonexistent. Carsley, who will have to rejig his defence against Ireland after losing Ezri Konsa to a hip injury, is already thinking about winning the Under-21 Euros next summer.
He is committed to development. Tuchel can thank Carsley for widening the selection pool. There have been debuts for Angel Gomes, Lewis Hall, Curtis Jones, Morgan Rogers, Morgan Gibbs-White and Noni Madueke. Carsley said that he has been disappointed that injury stopped him calling up Harvey Elliott and Jacob Ramsey.
Would he answer the call again? Tuchel has an 18-month deal and his future seems dependent on winning the 2026 World Cup. From this distance Carsley seems likely to be in situ at St George’s Park, ready to step in if required. For now, though, it is farewell to the normal one. It has been baffling at times, strangely enjoyable at others, and the stage is set for Carsball to go out on a high.
