In the wake of Gareth Southgate’s resignation following England’s defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final, the 50-year-old has transitioned from managing the England Under-21 team to oversee the senior squad.
Carsley, familiar with the national team and the dynamics of international football, considers it practical for him to lead temporarily while the FA searches for a new head coach. He emphasized, “My goal is to ensure continuity and work towards advancement in the UEFA Nations League.”
Having spent 17 years as a Premier League midfielder with teams like Derby and Everton, Carsley moved into coaching roles at Coventry, Brentford, and Birmingham on an interim basis. He became the England Under-20 coach in 2020 and soon took the helm of the Under-21s, where he led them to a historic European Championship win in 2023, their first in nearly four decades.
England’s forthcoming matches include an encounter with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin on September 7, followed by a home game against Finland. Carsley, who amassed 40 caps with the Republic of Ireland, will manage these games while the FA continues its search for a permanent replacement.
FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham commended Carsley for his familiarity with the senior squad, highlighting him as a strong interim solution. The FA has previously seen managers like Howard Wilkinson, Stuart Pearce, and Southgate rise from the Under-21s to the senior role, with Southgate achieving remarkable success.
Ben Futcher will take over as England Under-21 manager, with details about the support staff to be confirmed later.