Lee Carsley will take charge of the England national team as interim manager for the UEFA Nations League matches in September.

Lee Carsley, the England Under-21 manager, is rumored to be stepping into the role of interim boss for the senior national team in the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures. It is reported that Carsley could take charge of the Three Lions for their matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in September.

Gareth Southgate, the England boss, resigned just two days after his team’s defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final last month. Since then, there has been much speculation about who will replace him. Names such as Eddie Howe, Kieran McKenna, Graham Potter, and Mauricio Pochettino have all been mentioned as possible candidates.

While the Football Association (FA) goes through the process of selecting a new manager, it is believed that Carsley could be given temporary charge during the next international window. The FA has not commented on these reports, but they did hint at their plans in a statement last month, stating that they have an “interim solution” in place if needed.

Carsley is highly regarded within the England set-up, having achieved success with the U21 team. Under his management, the U21 side won the U21 European Championship in 2023, ending a 39-year drought. It is not uncommon for former U21 managers to make the step up to the senior team, as seen with Howard Wilkinson, Stuart Pearce, and Southgate himself.

Carsley, who won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland, will ironically face his former team on September 7. During his playing career, he represented Derby and Everton. After retiring, he gained experience as a caretaker manager at Coventry, Brentford, and Birmingham before joining the England set-up in 2020.

The FA had previously advertised the managerial vacancy, seeking someone with a strong track record in the Premier League or leading international competitions. The application period closed on August 2.

Overall, it seems that Carsley is a strong contender to take charge of the England senior team on an interim basis. His experience and success with the U21 side make him a viable option while the FA continues its search for a permanent manager.