Lee Carsley has provided the clearest indication yetthat wants the England manager’s job permanently - but the FA remain open to appointing an external candidate.
Mail Sport has learned that the governing body have now begun the process of speaking with other coaches as part of their process to appoint Gareth Southgate’s full time successor.
Carsley has had an excellent start to his job as interim boss, winning both matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland, and has a strong chance of earning the role as permanent head coach if his strong start continues in the next two international windows.
But the FA have now spoken to a number of potential candidates.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe and Graham Potter are among the managers who the governing body are understood to have shown an interest in since Southgate’s departure.
Lee Carsley has provided the clearest indication yet that wants the England manager’s job permanently
Carsley got his interim England reign off to the perfect start with convincing wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland
Ex-Chelsea and Brighton boss Graham Potter (left) and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (right) are amongst the names being considered by England
Foreign candidates of interest would include Jurgen Klopp, who is currently not believed to be interested in the role, Pep Guardiola and Thomas Tuchel.
Mauricio Pochettino also had support at the FA, but he has taken over the USA national side.
Carsley, though, has strengthened his claims to replace Southgate on a permanent basis with two promising wins as England got their Nations League campaign off to a 100 percent start. And Carsley has given a strong hint that he is coming round to the idea of becoming full time boss.
The 50-year-old, who will attend a UEFA post-Euro 2024 coaches conference with England technical director John McDermott in Berlin on Monday, had stopped short of saying he wants the position.
But asked on Monday night after the win over Finland if he was ‘up for the job’ given the huge spotlight the job entails, he responded: ‘Am I up for it? It is more about football, definitely.
‘Am I up for it? I think I am up for it. I’m very grounded in terms of the most important part of this job which, for me, is the football. Making sure we create a good environment for the players to perform in. I can’t see that being any different.’
Asked if he thought the England manager’s role remained the ‘impossible job’, Carsley added: ‘I’ve not heard that one, no. I think it’s a really good job, it’s a job where, when you look at different opportunities, the first thing you think is: “can you win?”
‘Can you be in a position where you can win? This job definitely ticks that box. We’ve got the players to be really, not only be competitive, but to win a major trophy.’
Thomas Tuchel is amongst the foreign bosses being considered for the England vacancy
Carsley will attend a UEFA post-Euro 2024 coaches conference with England technical director John McDermott (left) in Berlin on Monday
The English FA are still keeping options open on deciding Gareth Southgate's (pictured) permanent successor
Meanwhile, Southgate has revealed he may return to work outside of football as he continues his hiatus after leaving the job he filled for eight years after Euro 2024.
‘I've got lots of opportunities, I'm very open-minded to what's next,’ he told Sky News.
‘That might be in football, that might be outside of football. I'm just going to take some time, refresh, recharge and go from there.
‘I think at the moment people know that I need to get my energy back.’