Lee Carsley named as England's interim head coach after Gareth Southgate's resignation
Lee Carsley has been named England’s interim manager for the start of the Nations League campaign in September, the Football Association announced.
He takes over from Gareth Southgate who resigned as the teams manager after England's defeat by Spain in the 2024 Euro final.
A statement from the Football Association confirmed Carsley would lead England in the September matches away to Republic of Ireland and at home to Finland, but also suggested the 50-year-old could stay in charge throughout the autumn.
“Carsley will step up from his role in charge of the MU21s, initially for September’s fixtures away to Republic of Ireland and at home to Finland, but with a view to remaining in the position throughout autumn while the FA’s recruitment process for a new permanent head coach continues,” an FA statement read.
Lee Carsley steps up to England men's manager after spending three years as the head coach for England men's under-21 team.
He guided the team to success in 2023 where they claimed the UEFA U21 Euro title.
Birmingham-born Carsley represented Ireland as a player, and after his retirement he forged a respective coaching career.
Carsley said: “It’s an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis.
“As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while the FA continues the process to recruit a new manager.
“My main priority is to ensure continuity and our goal is to secure promotion in the UEFA Nations League.”
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The former Derby and Everton midfielder has worked with England age-groups since 2020 and worked with Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon at last summer’s Under-21 European Championship.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham added: “Lee is a fantastic coach who is well known to the majority of our current senior squad having worked with most at international or club level.
“He offers us a very strong interim solution and we are confident he will perform well in the UEFA Nations League games ahead.
“We are grateful to Lee for stepping up to manage the team while we continue with our recruitment process."
England are set to name their squad to face Ireland and Finland on August 29, which gives Carsley just under three weeks to make a judgement on his personnel.
Previous England manager Gareth Southgate resigned in July after the team's 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
In a statement at the time of his resignation, Southgate said it had been an "honour" to lead the team, but it was "time for change, and for a new chapter".
Southgate became the England manager in 2016, taking over from Sam Allardyce - who left after just one match.
After eight years in the job, he was branded one of England's best managers, becoming the only manager to take the team to two finals and the only manager to reach a final on foreign soil.
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