I’ve not heard that one – Lee Carsley on England being the ‘impossible job’

Lee Carsley says he has never heard the England post be described as the ‘impossible job’ and instead sees it as an opportunity for someone to lead the country to a major trophy.

Sir Alf Ramsey’s 1966 World Cup heroes remain the only English men’s team to lift silverware after Gareth Southgate’s side fell agonisingly short in back-to-back European Championship finals.

Carsley was parachuted in as interim boss after Southgate stepped down following July’s Euro 2024 final loss to Spain and did his chances of getting the permanent job no harm in September.

England showed promise in the 2-0 Nations League wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland, but the England Under-21s boss repeatedly brushed aside talk about the full-time position throughout the camp.

Instead, Carsley underlined that his focus was on the players and that the Football Association would appoint the right person for what has often been seen as the ‘impossible job’.

“I’ve not heard that one, no,” Carsley said when the phrase – which references the 1994 documentary ‘An Impossible Job’ filmed during Graham Taylor’s time in charge of the national team – was put to him.

“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.”

England certainly boast an array of quality that is the envy of most nations right now.

Carsley was without a number of stars for his first camp, with five of those that played in the Euro 2024 final unavailable or withdrawing from the squad through injury.

Jude Bellingham was among those as he deals with a calf complaint but the Real Madrid star could return in October, when he would link up with another former Birmingham midfielder.

“Yeah, he was definitely too young (to have crossed paths),” said Carsley, reflecting on his previous role as the Blues’ Under-23s coach.

“I was definitely aware of him and I’ve spoken to him by text to see how his injury is because he’s a player that I’m really looking forward to working with.

“Players like Jude, Phil (Foden), Cole (Palmer) all missed out and they’re all outstanding talents. I’m lucky to have worked with Phil and Cole.

“I think I had Jude when I was assisting with the 21s for a couple of camps. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Asked if Bellingham was receptive to the text, he said: “Yeah, definitely, because he’s a player who is highly motivated to play for England, do well and, coming off the back of a disappointing summer in terms of losing in the final, I’m sure he’s motivated as well.”

Carsley echoes that motivation to kick on with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, meaning attention has already turned to October’s home game against Greece and trip to Finland.

The 50-year-old is looking to keep “freshening it up” with that next selection and is preparing to try some ideas for England at the end of the week.

Carsley may hold one of the highest-profile positions in football, but he still hosts weekly sessions at the Strachan Football Foundation in Warwick with aspiring players aged between 16 and 21.

“Yeah, I’ve got a few ideas which I want to try, and it’ll be no different,” he added.

“I’ve got ideas from here that I want to try with them, leading up to the next game.

“There’s still a couple of things I want to improve on in terms of out of possession, so myself and James (Ryder) will go down there on Friday.”