Lee Carsley has sought to explain why he is so reluctant to say whether he wants the England manager's job on a permanent basis, insisting it will come down to professional consideration.
The interim manager has previously held the same caretaker role at Coventry, Brentford and Birmingham and admits he spent so much energy thinking about what would happen to him at those clubs that he forgot to do his job.
Carsley was speaking after his England side's 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki, a reflection after a confusing 2-1 defeat at Wembley. Last Thursday against Greece.
“I'm definitely reluctant, because in the past when I've done this caretaker or interim role, I've gone so low that I'm like, 'I don't want the job.' [or otherwise]', I didn't really do the work,” Carsley said. “It's important that I keep an open mind because I'm not reckless in my decisions in that regard [in terms of the team]. I have been thoroughly thinking about how the team should play, picking the team, which is a challenge.
Carsley is expected to return as England Under-21 manager when the season ends with the seniors after the third and final set. Group ties in Nations League November. There have been serious doubts in recent days whether he wants the top job permanently. The reality is that Carsley did little to make his feelings clear on Sunday, as he tried to steer a steady course by seeing him between the two poles.
“People always try to put their chips on one side,” Carsley told ITV. “I'm in the middle. My bosses have made it absolutely clear what they want from me. This job deserves a world-class coach, won trophies and made it from there, and I'm still on track to do that.
Carsley was asked to explain what he meant, because he still doesn't appear to be a world-class coach. Did he feel that a permanent job would soon come his way?
“Of course not,” he said. “I tried to make it as clear as I could. I was sent to three camps [as the interim]. What I'm trying to say is that this is one of the best jobs in the world. I am not part of the process [to make the appointment] But it deserves a great trainer.
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Carsley was also told that people may have interpreted his comments to ITV as self-serving. Is that a wrong assessment? “Yes, of course,” he said. “As I say, it's important to do my best. It is a privilege to do this work. I feel pretty confident. It is a great work, and whoever gets it will be fully qualified.
Carsley made it clear that the constant talk of what might happen hasn't fazed him. “No, no. I can certainly understand why you would [in the media] It can be frustrating. Of course I can understand because, like everyone else, clarity is what everyone is looking for in this process.
“I think my money was pretty clear based on the three camps. I'm not the one who keeps telling John [McDermott, the Football Association’s technical director]: 'Can I get an update?' As hard as it is to work at the moment… yes, I'm more comfortable in that sense. But, yes [I can understand] Why would you despair.”
