New England interim head coach Lee Carsley has vowed to put his own stamp on the job ahead of his audition to become next full-time boss.
Carsley was confirmed as Gareth Southgate’s temporary successor ahead of the UEFA Nations League matches next month and sources have indicated he has a genuine chance of becoming full-time manager if he impresses.
Mauricio Pochettino’s decision to accept an offer from the USA has strengthened Carsley’s chances of being appointment permanent boss given the Argentine had key admirers at the FA.
Carsley, who is set to appoint Ashley Cole as his No 2, says he is ready to make changes from the party that reached the Euro 2024 final earlier this summer.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, who was named in Southgate’s preliminary squad in Germany, is among the players understood to be in Carsley’s consideration.
Lee Carsley has vowed to put his own stamp on England as he looks to become the next permanent manager of the Three Lions
Carsley was named as the interim successor to Gareth Southgate after the Euro 2024 final
Carsley is ready to ring the changes after England's Euro 2024 final defeat last month
'First and foremost it is getting the squad together, picking the right squad and trying to get a balance between making sure it is fresh and competitive while understanding that it is games we need to do well in and win,’ said Carsley, who has been promoted from his role as England’s Under-21 head coach.
‘Everything is in balance and that is what I’ll be looking to do. I think it is important we put our own stamp on the squad and make subtle adjustments but I think it is important to realise as well the players have done really well in the past and we have to acknowledge that.
‘I think it definitely helps I have a relationship with the players and have known them quite a few years.
‘There are a lot of players that I don’t know, but I’m very much aware of them. We’ve got some outstanding players in the senior team and in the pathway.
‘The level of player in the last few years has really improved, you can see that by the way we’ve done in major tournaments. The next step is winning and that has to be the objective.
'The World Cup is two years away so it is important we see that in stages. First we need to set our stall out in the way we are going to attack the Nations League and make sure we do well in that and then lead us into the World Cup qualifiers.'
Carsley also paid tribute to Southgate’s eight year spell in charge of the national team.
Southgate led a vast improvement in England’s tournament record, taking the team to two silver medals at the European Championships plus a fourth-placed finish at the World Cup.
Uncapped Curtis Jones is among the players thought to be in Carsley's consideration
Carsley is expected to appoint Ashley Cole as his No 2 ahead of next month's games
And Carsley adds he hopes to replicate the feel good factor Southgate brought to English football, adding: ‘Ideally I want them to enjoy camps, enjoy playing for England like they have in the past with Gareth and Steve. Hopefully we can continue that.
‘The monitoring has already started, we’ve watched a lot of friendlies and have an insight department monitoring all the players, I’m looking forward to the season starting.
‘I feel privileged to be in the position. Obviously it is a very prestigious job following Gareth and Steve [Holland] and the great job they’ve done.
‘I know there is a lot of responsibility, a challenge ahead. I’m looking forward to September and the games in front of us.
‘They did a great job. It was brilliant for me personally to work with, so encouraging, brilliant people to work with, which is really important. The success they had as well.
'It is a shame they didn’t get across that final hurdle but the environment they created around England teams is a credit to both of them. They played such a pivotal role in English football and I’m sure they will be remembered for a long time.'
Carsley is expected to be in attendance for Manchester United's Premier League opener against Fulham on Friday night.