Lee Carsley: What happens next with England manager search?

It is no secret that it would be good for the FA if Carsley was to succeed.

Before the Greece defeat last week, a senior source at the FA said it felt the process was “going well”.

That smooth transition, following in the footsteps of Southgate, would back the work they are doing at St George’s Park to create a pathway for players and coaches through the youth set-ups into the senior team.

FA technical director John McDermott and CEO Mark Bullingham are playing a key role in the recruitment process, and after last week’s results there will be even more discussion around Carsley’s final camp in November.

The FA is not commenting or offering guidance either way when asked whether they have conducted any interviews with potential candidates – which is giving space for the media debate about the process and who might be a candidate to rumble on.

It is true that most other job recruitment is done in a confidential manner and the FA believes its process should be no different.

The FA has always made clear it wants the best person available and Pep Guardiola – widely accepted as the world’s best coach – is out of contract at Manchester City at the end of the season. He has been linked with the role in the media, but he may yet extend his contract for a fourth time at City – and whether he could be tempted financially by the FA is another question.

Two nights before England’s match in Helsinki there were reports former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was in contact with the FA, subsequently denied by his agent. Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is another name linked, along with out-of-work former Brighton and Chelsea boss Graham Potter.

On Sunday, Carsley said the England manager should be a “world class coach”, but then attempted to clarify that he was not ruling himself out of the permanent job on that basis.

“Confusion reigns,” reflected BBC Radio 5 Live correspondent John Murray, who added, “but perhaps only on the outside.

“Within the FA it smacks of all options being kept open. It is possible Carsley’s England could win next month’s final two group matches handsomely, finish top of the group and win promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League.

“It’s also possible that the top trophy-winning coach that Carsley referred to is either not available now or only will be at a later point. Hence the keeping of all options open.

“And so on the outside the guessing game will likely continue into next month.”