Lee Carsley: England interim manager impressed at first press conference – Reporter Notebook | Football news

Lee Carsley has won a major international trophy, and if he is going to be the next senior English manager, the biggest job for the FA boss to be an ambassador should be in front of the media.

To that end, Carsley’s first press conference as interim boss was a great success.

He sounds like an interim manager, not a caretaker manager. A subtle difference, but that was accentuated when Carsley said he wanted to put his stamp on the team.

His international coaching pedigree was on full display when Carsley’s U21s won the European Championships last summer. They have respected and bought young players in England. If he was an international youth manager in France or Spain, that would be enough for him to get the top job. But in England, the demand is different.

Carsley’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate, followed a similar route – U21 manager, then interim senior boss. In the end, Southgate looked like a broken man, having suffered abuse. Carsley insists he is ready to face it, as he has done before. But Southgate is also a good politician and public speaker.

Interviewees who are reluctant to impress under pressure

Being a senior England men’s manager is much more than a coaching role. It demands a comfortable and eloquent incumbent speaking on some very difficult subjects (in the era of Southgate think of racism, think of human rights in Qatar).

They should also be ambassadors for national sports governing bodies, diplomats and first-rate managers. The lucky victim must be tenacious, defiant, strong-minded and forthright. In that area, you feel, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham will be watching Carsley closely.

As a player, Carsley does not like doing media interviews. He knew it was necessary, something that went with the job. But you wouldn’t describe him as an interviewee. He got better, and more comfortable, during his spells as caretaker manager at Coventry, Brentford and Birmingham, and in a more modest role as England U21 manager.

Here at St George’s Park, when Carsley sat in the managerial hot seat for the first time, he was the subject of media discussion in a good way.

For the first few questions, he clearly wrote some notes in preparation, and there was an occasional glance down to the safety blanket of his iPad. But his opening gambit was impressive, as he made it clear how proud he was to take the top football job in the country.

And when football questions flowed from the floor, Carsley became more and more engaged, and even seemed to enjoy the debate. He adroitly side-stepped my question about whether he wanted a long-term job – even though he clearly didn’t want it.

When the same question came up again, later in the press conference, he laughed with the words: “I have to win some games first, right?!” The assembled media responded with giggles of their own.

Move away from Southgate’s ways

He said in his first answer that he would not be a slave to Southgate’s ideas and squad selection – although he repeatedly paid tribute to his predecessor, his support and friends, and the work he had done to take England so close to a major trophy. A diplomat? tick. Confidence? yes already.

Carsley does not shy away from the expectations of the role, either: who is the next manager of England, he said, the goal is clear – to deliver the victory of the main tournament. The available pool of players, he said, is well worth it. The FA’s technical director, John McDermott, would echo that sentiment.

And Carsley’s first squad selection proved he was ready for the call. There is no easy return for Marcus Rashford or James Maddison, but they are still on their minds, he said. Only other players are ready to step up for this Nations League game. Jack Grealish asked for the nod to return, but Carsley said “he has a point to prove”.

Will Trent Alexander-Arnold be a defender or midfielder in his plans? “He’s a right back,” was the definite answer. Although Carsley pointed out that, as an example of a great footballer, Liverpool players will be allowed to influence him to play further, as he did for his club.

At a stroke, he made a clear position on the many controversies that had gone beyond the end of the previous era.

On a day when one of Southgate’s leaders and most trusted players, Kieran Trippier, called time on his international career – this is not a knee-jerk reaction to the absence of the England squad, by the way – the Newcastle man has made a decision in the blink of an eye. after the Euros final, I understand – Carsley clearly still needs experience and quality in the ranks.

The strong English spine of Jordan Pickford, James Maguire, John Stones, Declan Rice and Harry Kane still loom large in this England squad, and will almost certainly form the backbone of Carsley’s starting XI, in Dublin next weekend.

Maguire’s memories after the injury that denied him a chance in Germany are particularly pointed. Carsley said he will rely on his and the Stones’ strength and leadership.

The England U21 experience led to an influx of youngsters

Carsley also has faith in the new young guns of English football, who will outstay the mainstay. Five members of Carsley’s U21s got the nod for the senior squad – four of them, promoted to the senior squad for the first time.

Morgan Gibbs-White – who captained the junior team under Carsley – was one of those, chosen ahead of Maddison in the No 10 role, in the absence of the injured Jude Bellingham. Carsley shines in the description of the Nottingham Forest playmaker, who said: “energetic, creative, exciting, has a brilliant attitude and work level, difficult to play against.”

He also pointed out that Gibbs-White has been successful for England in terms of silverware, and that should not be forgotten.

Carsley’s tactical tribute to Angel Gomes is impressive. His small stature gives him an advantage, the England boss says, when combined with his good balance and ability on the ball. A similarly astute analysis was offered by another debutant, Noni Madueke.

Carsley said that – after putting his toe in club management – an international coach suited him best. They are delighted to have the range of talent that England’s elite game can provide, and the challenge of taking individuals from that pool to form a world-beating force.

And when it comes to resilience – no, he won’t be fazed, he says, if he faces the same scrutiny and abuse as Southgate. He was ready.

All in all, Carsley can be very pleased with the actual work of his first day at the top job. He has chosen a pragmatic squad, sprinkled with many new and exciting elements, young brilliance. He offered an olive branch to the big names left behind, and explained what the players could do, and should do in the future.

But perhaps even more impressive than that, he sends all the answers with confidence and enthusiasm that will make FA bosses sit up and take notice. Wins against Ireland and Finland in the next fortnight could only further boost their credentials.