England interim manager Lee Carsley remains coy on taking full-time job

England's interim boss Lee Carsley has remained coy about taking the full-time job after their UEFA Nations League win over Finland on Sunday, October 13. Carsley has lost just one game since taking over from Gareth Southgate.

In Short

• England bounced back with a 3-1 win over Finland
• Carsley said England needs a world-class coach to take over
• England will face Greece on November 14 and Ireland on November 17 in the Nations League

Lee Carsley expressed his delight at England's 3-1 win over Finland, which helped get their Nations League campaign back on track, but the interim manager was clear that he wasn’t focused on securing the role permanently.

England now sit second in Group B2 with nine points from four games, trailing Greece, after goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Declan Rice secured victory at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium. This result came as a much-needed response to Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley, Carsley’s first loss since taking over following Gareth Southgate's departure.

Despite being pleased with the team’s performance after the disappointing loss, Carsley remained non-committal when asked about his future as England manager.

Speaking to the reporters, as quoted by Reuters, Carsley said that the England job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies as he is still on that path.

"This job deserves a world-class coach who has won trophies and I am still on the path to that," said Carsley.

"I keep saying the same thing. My remit was six games and I'm happy with that," he added. "This is a privileged position. I'm really enjoying it but I didn't enjoy the last two days. I'm not used to losing in an England team, I don't take losing well."

"People are always going to try and put their chips on one side. I'm in the middle."

Carsley did get some big praise from Declan Rice, who said the interim manager's approach has been refreshing and honest.

"It's been so refreshing, he's been so honest, so upfront, just says to go out and play with freedom, and I think you can see us lads, we're playing really well out there and, yeah, really enjoying our time under him," said Rice.

"There's going to be bumps along the way, that's football, it's an up and down sport, nothing is ever going to be perfect."

England will face Greece on November 14 and Ireland on November 17 in the Nations League during the next international break.