Why Lee Carsley shouldn’t be England’s next permanent manager

“I have to try something because we have to put ourselves in a position where we can win,” Carsley said in an attempt to justify picking a strange starting XI against Greece.

“To think we can do the same thing again and expect something different is naive. I’m very keen on the fact that the last time we won something was 1966, so we have to have that ability to try something different.” .

Our desperation to quench that long thirst for success in the big tournaments can lead to all kinds of mishaps, even from the most underrated men.

Carsley’s empty words harkening back to the good old days of Sir Alf are at best out of place and at worst disrespectful to his elegant and statesmanlike predecessor.

Whatever anyone would have you believe, the Southgate era was an unprecedented success.

To deliver such consistency over an eight-year period was unprecedented for an England manager. While it is true that the ultimate goal of a top-flight nation will always be to win a trophy, what had been clearly lacking in the previous decade was any kind of hope. The ability of fans to dream.

In Southgate’s four tournaments there was plenty of that.

Since Spain’s defeat in Berlin, and to be fair throughout Euro 2024, there has been a distressing narrative about England needing to be much more attacking, about Southgate “holding the team back”, when in reality he had brought them forward, rescued them. us from the abyss, before finally being bordered by thin banks.

And like all good things, it simply came to an end.

There is no doubt that Carsley’s comments are unintentional slights, but his actions have reflected a complete disregard for the hard work done by the previous regime. Back-to-back Euro finalists, semi-finalists and World Cup quarter-finalists, England don’t need a total overhaul involving two reversed full-backs, a false nine, every attacking midfielder possible and the departure of their only standout Euro defender 2024.

Tactical detail, not footballing philosophy, cost England against Croatia, Italy, France and Spain.

Comparisons should not be made with the latter, who have consistently won in this era playing in their natural way. One that suits them. This is built into the fabric of their national identity.

Organized defence, balanced attacking play, set pieces, with some blood and thunder thrown in – this is England. That’s what brought us so close. We just have to do better.

International managers cannot turn players into something they are not. This is a coach who maximizes what he has at his disposal.

In June it seemed almost certain that after leaving Bayern, Thomas Tuchel would be appointed by Manchester United. He wasn’t. Jurgen Klopp had just started his break after stepping down as Liverpool boss. He now holds a consulting role for Red Bull. Pep Guardiola hinted that this season would be his last at Manchester City. Long-time ally Txiki Begiristain has since confirmed he will leave as director of football in June.

“This job deserves a world-class manager who has won trophies and been there and done that,” Carsley said after the win in Finland.

“I haven’t really thought about it much. I keep saying the same thing: my mission was to play six games and I’m very happy with that.”

It is an exaggeration to say that the interim England boss is being written off, but his assessment is fair and his behavior telling. After the Three Lions’ next two games, his time should be up.

Because timing really is everything.

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