Meet Lee Carsley: Coach and ex-player leading England in UEFA Nations League matches as interim manager

Lee Carsley has been announced as the interim England manager for the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures in September, while the FA continues its search for a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.

The 50-year-old was promoted from his role as England Under-21 boss following Southgate's resignation after the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain. 

A former Premier League midfielder with Derby County and Everton, Carsley made the move to coaching after ending his playing career in 2011. Now, he will take charge of the national team knowing he could stake a claim for the role permanently should his team impress against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.

The Sporting News looks at Carsley's playing and coaching career, including an intriguing allegiance as an international midfielder.

MORE: UEFA Nations League fixtures

Carsley is a former professional footballer and an experienced football coach, who has recently been appointed the interim manager of the England national team following Southgate's departure.

Lee Carsley has been appointed interim head coach of the #ThreeLions ahead of the start of our #NationsLeague campaign.

Born in 1974 in Birmingham, England, Carsley has a strong reputation across English football, both as a combative midfield player and as a tactician.

Carsley's experience comes largely from managing at youth and Under-21levels, leading England's U21s to success in recent years.

MORE: How England suffered more final heartache against dominant Spain

Carsley spent his playing days as a midfielder, known for hard work, defensive contributions and leadership.

He began his professional career with Derby County in 1992, where he established himself as a reliable first-team regular. His performances there earned him a move to Blackburn Rovers in 1999, though he found more success at Coventry City a year later.

However, it was during his time at Everton, between 2002 and 2008, that Carsley came into his own. He was a key component of Everton's midfield and soon became a fan favourite at Goodison Park, making close to 200 appearances in all competitions.

"Could you tell them apart?"

Lee Carsley and Thomas Gravesen will be reunited on the Goodison pitch as part of our Gwladys Street Presents: Cult Heroes event on 21 August.

Tickets for this - and a similar Everton Giants edition - are on sale now. ⬇️

He also played for Birmingham City and Sheffield United before retiring in 2011 after a second spell with Coventry.

Following retirement from playing, Carsley quickly made the move into coaching. He began working with Coventry City's youth team before taking on various coaching roles, including one at Manchester City's academy.

His career progressed nicely and he took on more senior roles, serving as caretaker head coach for Brentford in 2015. He won the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award after his team won four out of five games in October that year.

His most impressive role came when he was appointed head coach of the England U21 team in 2021 after spending just under a year in charge of the U20 side.

Under his leadership, the team thrived, and he helped them to the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship title. Carsley's success with the U21s made him a strong candidate to step up to the senior national team, just as Southgate did back in 2016.

23 #YoungLions players.
23 #U21EURO champions.

pic.twitter.com/X5ZuvNH8Jw

Despite being born in Birmingham, England, Carsley represented the Republic of Ireland at international level. His eligibility came through his Irish grandparents, allowing him to declare for the national team.

Carsley earned 40 caps for Ireland between 1997 and 2008 and played in crucial qualifiers for both the European Championship and World Cup. He was part of the squad for the 2002 FIFA tournament in Japan and South Korea, making one substitute appearance in a group-stage win over Saudi Arabia.