Is Lee Carsley the right choice for permanent England manager?

Lee Carsley is known for keeping his cards close to his chest, but even he must be feeling quietly confident about the successful start he has made to his tenure as England's interim manager.

Two wins from two against the Republic of Ireland and Finland was expected, and sterner tests are to come, but the 50-year-old is now the overwhelming favourite to be the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate.

That, in large part, is down to his own actions and the stamp he has been able to put on this England side after just two games.

Carsley did not play it safe with his squad announcement, handing out first-time call-ups to the likes of Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White, but those decisions have borne fruit.

Gomes slotted in seamlessly in his first start against Finland, a livewire at the base of midfield for a side that already looked more dynamic and expansive than in recent years.

The interim boss also got a tune out of the old guard, too. Harry Kane marked his 100th cap with a trademark display, while Jack Grealish and Trent Alexander-Arnold – both of whom often operated on the fringes of Southgate’s plans – have had new life breathed into their England careers.

Alexander-Arnold, in particular, had not started an England game at right-back for four years prior to the trip to Dublin, but picked up consecutive man-of-the-match awards and finally looked at home in an England shirt.

This is not to say that it has all been plain sailing. The sluggish displays in the second half in Dublin and the first half at Wembley are a cause for concern, and Carsley will be keen for his side not to slip back into poor habits of old.

It looks likely, though, that Carsley will have his audition extended until the end of the year, giving him four further games to further mould the team into his liking

The former Under-21 boss will have to contend with the return of Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer next month – all players who expect to start.

But finding a place for all three, especially given the impressive displays of Grealish and Anthony Gordon, will be as much of a headache for Carsley as it was for his predecessor Southgate.

The England boss has been coy over his ambitions to take on the roll full-time but has been markedly open about still feeling uneasy with his new role.

‘I definitely don’t feel comfortable still,’ Carsley said at full-time on Tuesday.

‘I have been out of my comfort zone. It’s been enjoyable but we have had to make sure every single day we are producing high standards. We are fortunate to have got two good results so it is about building on that.’

Carsley will have to get comfortable if England are to be sure about giving him the full-time job. The pressure is undeniable and the expectation is clear.

National anthem controversies aside, however, it has been a positive start for Carsley. Six points were expected and there are signs of a new, more exciting England side under his tenure.

But England appear in no hurry to make a permanent decision and Carsley still has several creases to iron out.

Greece at Wembley and a trip to Helsinki to face Finland await England next in October before further games against Greece and Ireland in November.

The lack of a notable opponent to cut his teeth against for the rest of this year may help Carsley ease into the job, but he must surely know he will need to be near-perfect to convince everyone that his previously unheralded name is the right person to lead the Three Lions forward.

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