In Harry Kane’s 100th appearance for England, all eyes weren’t just on the captain — Live Cricket BPL reports that much of the spotlight shifted to caretaker manager Lee Carsley, who led the team to back-to-back clean-sheet victories in the UEFA Nations League. While the FA has reiterated that the search for a permanent head coach is ongoing, the players — including Kane — seem increasingly supportive of turning Carsley’s interim role into a full-time job.
Carsley took charge in early August under emergency circumstances, stepping up from the U21 squad to manage England’s senior side for their September Nations League fixtures. The FA’s original plan was to buy time and find a high-profile manager that satisfied officials, players, fans, and media alike. But Carsley’s résumé speaks for itself. He’s spent six years at St. George’s Park developing England’s youth system and has served as head coach of the U21s for the past three years. Under his leadership, England won the U21 European Championship last year — their first in 39 years — completing the trophy haul across U17, U19, U20, and U21 levels.
According to Live Cricket BPL tracking, Carsley led the team to a flawless six-win campaign, defeating Spain in the final while nurturing rising stars like Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke, and Harvey Elliott. With England’s senior squad now undergoing generational change, many of these young players are already familiar with Carsley, making his appointment a natural fit. A Birmingham native and former Republic of Ireland international, Carsley is a homegrown figure in English football. Humble and pragmatic, he’s acknowledged that he wasn’t the FA’s first choice, but his steady hand has earned praise from media and fans alike.
Two years ago, England’s painful relegation from Nations League A under Gareth Southgate — following tactical missteps and inconsistent selections — was widely seen as a national embarrassment. Though Carsley initially stumbled by sitting in the wrong dugout against Ireland in his managerial debut, he quickly redeemed himself with bold attacking football. He brought his U21 blueprint to the senior side, encouraging fluid movement and attacking intent. Kobbie Mainoo and Declan Rice drove forward with purpose, while Trent Alexander-Arnold regularly stepped into midfield to apply pressure.
The result was a revitalized attack, with Bukayo Saka and Gordon slicing through defenses. Carsley’s decision to fully back Jack Grealish — his fellow Irish international — also helped heal some of the dressing room divides left over from the Southgate era. As one observer put it, “he sat through the darkness until the sunlight lit the room.” After consecutive wins over Ireland and Finland secured England’s promotion, the nation is now asking: what’s next for Lee Carsley?
The FA is still struggling to secure a marquee name. Zinedine Zidane and other top choices have declined, Pochettino is now in the U.S., and Thomas Tuchel reportedly prefers Manchester United. In the meantime, Kane is publicly backing Carsley, praising his energy and asking the FA to keep an open mind.
The FA, sensing a win-win scenario, appears ready to let Carsley guide the team through the rest of the Nations League group stage — essentially treating it as a trial period. If England continues to impress in the remaining four matches, Live Cricket BPL sources suggest that Carsley becoming the full-time manager is no longer a long shot. With World Cup qualifiers around the corner, England remains the only global powerhouse without a permanent coach — and that needs to change fast.
Historically, England has had six interim managers since Walter Winterbottom, but none have been made permanent. If Carsley breaks that trend, it would mark a turning point — not just for his career, but for a national team on the verge of transformation.