Lee Carsley left journalists puzzled by saying ‘hopefully I’ll be going back to the Under-21s’ after England’s defeat to Greece.
The interim Three Lions boss oversaw a deeply disappointing 2-1 defeat to the Greeks in front of a sold-out Wembley on Thursday night.
Carsley’s audition for the permanent job took a nasty turnGetty
It put a significant dent in his hopes of becoming Gareth Southgate’s permanent successor, having put himself in the running by starting his temporary reign with two impressive victories.
However, when asked that question after the Nations League defeat, Carsley’s answer was far from convincing.
“I was quite surprised after the last camp in terms of the job’s mine and it’s mine to lose and all the rest of it,” the 50-year-old said.
“My remit has been clear. I’m doing three camps, there’s three games left and then hopefully I’ll be going back to the 21s. It’s had almost no impact.”
When asked to clarify his specific comment about ‘hopefully’ going back to the Under-21s, Carsley added: “I said at the start I wouldn’t rule myself in or out. That’s still the case.
“I’m more than comfortable in my position, where I am. The remit was clear. I’m comfortable and confident with that.
“After the first camp I didn’t get too excited or believe too much. I’m very aware that this job is one of the best jobs in the world.
“Nothing’s changed. My remit was to do the three camps and then to hand over.”
Carsley was then further pressed on whether he wants the job permanently or not.
He responded: “Nothing’s changed in what I said in the first press conference.
This was the first time England have ever lost to GreeceGetty
“It’s a fantastic job. I’m lucky I’ve got a good job as it is in the 21s. But after the first camp, when we won two games and had two good performances, nothing changed.
“It’s important that I give it everything I’ve got for the next three games. I’m really happy and comfortable with the communication I have with my bosses. Nothing’s changed in that respect.”
talkSPORT’s chief football host Adrian Durham was among many left confused by Carsley’s comments.
Reacting on the Breakfast Show, Durham said: “If he wants to go back to the Under-21s, what is he doing in this job?”
Carsley deployed a bold new formation in an attempt to get all of England’s star attackers on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham played as a false No.9, with Phil Foden in the No.10 role and Cole Palmer deeper in midfield.
But the experiment was a disaster. Vangelis Pavlidis put Greece in front on 49 minutes and then scored a last-minute winner after Bellingham’s late equaliser.
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Carsley told talkSPORT: “My thoughts were to try something different. We’re in a period now where we have to be creative, especially with the amount of players we’ve got.
“It was always going to be a good challenge for us in front of a big crowd, in front of a well-organised, good team.
“It didn’t go the way I thought it would but I don’t think it should discourage us from trying new things in the future.”
When asked whether he was a little naive to debut such a bold new formation against England’s toughest Nations League opponents, Carsley revealed the Three Lions only worked on it for 25 minutes in training.
He added: “That’s how I want to play. I want to attack and get as many attacking and creative players on the pitch – and I’ve done that throughout my coaching career.
“I wouldn’t say it was an experiment. We’ve got to be realistic as well. We did it for 25 minutes yesterday, in terms of preparation, and then again in the game today.
“We’ve got to be courageous taking risks and if it goes wrong, I’m happy taking that blame.”
