Lee Carsley says England ‘deserve a world class coach who’s won trophies’

Fans think he's ruling himself out of the job

The Three Lions bounced back from Thursday’s loss to Greece with goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice.

After expressing a desire to go back to managing the Under-21s last week, Carsley caused further confusion on Sunday when he refused to answer one way or the other whether he wanted the job or not.

Speaking to ITV he said: “People are always going to try and put chips on the side. I’m genuinely in the middle.

“This is a job that deserves a world class coach who’s won trophies, I’m still on the path to doing that.”

However, following England’s victory in Helsinki, Carsley insisted his comments to ITV were not an admission that he had ruled himself out of the running.

He said: “I think it’s important I do the best that I can. It’s a privilege to do this job. I feel well trusted. It’s a great job and whoever gets it will prove deserving.”

He was asked if he thought the permanent job was too soon in his coaching career for him to accept now he said: “Definitely not. I tried to make it clear as I could.

“My remit was three camps in the Nations League. The point I was trying to make is it is one of the top jobs in the world and it deserves a top coach. I’m finding this job a challenge in good way.”

He was further pressed on why he was so reluctant to state one way or another whether he wanted the job to which he replied: “I’m reluctant because in the past when I’ve done this interim/caretaker role I’ve gone so far down the “I don’t want the job” that I’ve actually not done the job.”

It comes after sources told Mail Sport that the Football Association hold major reservations over whether Carsley wants to be considered for the permanent job.

Meanwhile, it appears that the players are backing Carsley. Grealish hailed Carsley as a ‘top, top manager’ after the win.

He said: “The goal came from the manager letting us play with that freedom. I play with Angel Gomes in training and I know what a top player he is.

“Whatever happens with the England manager, people will always say negative stuff.”

Meanwhile, former United captain Roy Keane has urged the FA to appoint Pep Guardiola as the permanent manager.

He said: “Go after Pep, go for the best. Pep's contract is up the summer. The FA have to go for the best guy. I don't know if finances will play a part in it.

“If Lee obviously rules himself [out], and he's not interested, and that seems to be the noises coming out, then the FA better get busy and get the right man.”