Lee Carsley is nearing the England managerial position to take over from Gareth Southgate as the full-time coach.
Carsley on Course for England Role
Lee Carsley, the current manager of the England Under-21 team, is reportedly edging closer to taking the reins of the senior national side. According to *The Sun*, Carsley has made a promising start to his tenure, securing two victories in his first two matches.
The publication states, “Lee Carsley is ready to take on the massive pressure that comes with the England job.” With Gareth Southgate’s future uncertain, the interim manager’s chances of being appointed full-time have significantly improved following wins against Ireland and Finland.
Carsley now has six Nations League matches to solidify his position. The Three Lions triumphed 2-0 against the Irish on Saturday, followed by another victory over Finland on Tuesday. Next up, England will host Greece on October 10 before heading to Helsinki for a rematch with Finland just three days later.
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Everton Takeover Rumbles On
In the world of Everton, the proposed takeover by John Textor appears to be less imminent than some may have hoped. *The Mirror* reports that the club has issued a statement clarifying that discussions are ongoing but a deal is not yet in sight.
The statement reads, “Everton have distanced themselves from comments made by prospective owner John Textor, who claims his buy-out is close.” Textor, who holds a 45% stake in Crystal Palace and has interests in clubs across France, Belgium, and Brazil, is currently in a period of exclusivity with Farhad Moshiri, the current owner. He has until November 30 to finalise the deal.
Despite progress in discussions, both parties still have unresolved issues. Interim CEO Colin Chong emphasised that Textor’s comments were merely his personal views. Meanwhile, the Blues find themselves at the bottom of the Premier League without a point, and Chong insists that the focus remains on supporting the team ahead of a challenging fixture against Aston Villa this Saturday evening.
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Dyche’s Future Uncertain
Everton manager Sean Dyche’s long-term future at the club remains in doubt, despite his efforts to keep the team afloat. *The Daily Mail* reports that while Dyche has made a positive impression, negotiations regarding an extension to his contract have yet to yield results.
The paper explains, “Everton head coach Sean Dyche’s long-term future at the club remains unclear heading into the final eight months of his contract.” Although the club’s hierarchy has shown a willingness to extend the 53-year-old’s contract, no breakthrough has been achieved amid the ongoing challenges both on and off the pitch at Goodison Park.
There is a recognition within the club that Dyche has successfully navigated one of the most turbulent periods in Everton’s history, but uncertainty looms as the season progresses.
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Barca Face Olmo Trouble
In Spain, Barcelona may encounter difficulties in registering Dani Olmo for the latter half of the current season. *The Athletic* reports that while La Liga’s “Rule 77” allowed Olmo to be registered for the first half of the campaign, additional financial manoeuvring will be necessary to keep him available in 2025.
The report notes that Barcelona’s salary cap has been significantly increased by La Liga, rising to €426 million (£359m; $470m) from €204 million. However, the club will still need to navigate financial challenges to register summer signing Olmo for the second half of the season.
Last January, Barcelona utilised Rule 77 to replace long-term injured players, allowing new Brazilian signing Vitor Roque to take the place of sidelined midfielder Gavi. The rule was invoked again in late August to temporarily register Olmo when defender Andreas Christensen was injured.
Club president Joan Laporta expressed optimism last week, stating that he expects Barcelona to raise sufficient funds in the coming months to elevate their salary limit above current expenditure, enabling a return to the ‘1:1 rule’—where all money raised can be spent on new players.