Ian Wright has questioned Lee Carsley's 'passion' for the England top job and advised him to steer clear if he does not fully desire it.
Carsley is taking charge of his fourth game in interim charge of the Three Lions against Finland, having won two and lost one of his previous three matches.
Following the 2-1 defeat by Greece on Thursday night, he claimed that he will 'hopefully go back to the Under-21s'after his six-game interim spell is over, sparking questions over how much he wants to be Gareth Southgate's successor.
The Football Association now has major reservations that Carsley - so successful at youth level - wants to make the permanent step up.
'I think that if you are in the in the driving seat for it, and you haven't got the passion to say I want to do this job, then it's probably not for him,' Wright told ITV Sport ahead of England's clash with Finland.
Ian Wright has advised Lee Carsley to steer clear unless he really wants the England job
He said after the 2-1 Greec defeat that he hopes to return to the U21sfollowing his interim spell
'What I listened to, in talking about going back to the under 21s, it's not something that he's looking at, the full international job/
'But while he's doing it, I'm pleased to see him doing what he wants to do. While he's in the seat, you should do exactly what he wants to do.'
Ian Wright concurred with his co-pundit's views.
'His same message for the last month or so since he got the job is that he's just going to focus on the upcoming games,' Keane told ITV Sport.
'That's what he's been told by the English FA and he's not come up with any kind of messages that he's desperate for this job.
'I know he said a few years ago that he didn't really want to walk with work with senior players. He was comfortable with working with younger players. And obviously he's entitled to change his mind.
'And he's also had a taste of it. And sometimes you get a taste of something, and he just might be thinking, especially when you've had a disappointing result and obviously negative publicity. "Do I really want this?"'
As Mail Sport reported, there is skepticism emerging from inside the FA about Carsley's appetite for the job, particularly following his comments in recent days.
Ian Wright says Carsley has not given 'any kind of messages that he's desperate for the job'
Tue England interim England boss refused to be drawn on his future after the loss to Greece
His merits and record at youth level are impressive - he won the Under-21s European Championship with an unfancied England side last year - and he has signalled his fondness for developing players over the long-term - perhaps not the top priority for a side targeting tournament wins.
When asked whether the defeat to Greece would impact his ambitions of being named permanent boss, Carsley responded: 'I was quite surprised after the last camp in terms of people saying the job is mine and it is mine to lose and the rest of it (after beating Ireland and Finland).
'My remit has been clear from the start. I am doing three camps, there are three games left and then hopefully I will be going back to the U21s.
'It (the defeat) has no impact. I said at the start I would not rule myself in or out and that is still the case.
'I am more than comfortable in my position where I am. After the first camp I definitely didn't get too excited or believe too much.
'I know this job is one of the best jobs in the world because you actually have a chance of winning in terms of a major competitions and that is still the case.'
The 50-year-old was asked to clarify whether he wanted the job or not but fell short of providing a straight answer.