LEE Carsley is leading the Three Lions into a new era following Gareth Southgate’s exit after England’s Euro 2024 final heartbreak.
His first match in charge is against the country he represented as a player for over a decade — the Republic of Ireland.
Lee Carsley was born in Birmingham on February 28, 1974.
He enjoyed a long career as a professional footballer, playing for five clubs between 1994 and 2011 — a total of 548 matches.
His two longest stints were at Derby County and Everton, where he made his name as a talented midfielder during a six-season spell.
Lee also played Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City, as well as two stints at Coventry City.
He started earning his coaching badges while still playing for Everton, and was appointed head coach of Coventry’s Under-18s in July 2011.
Lee left for then Championship side Brentford in 2015 as manager of the development squad.
Following the sudden departure of Marinus Dijkhuizen, he was promoted to lead the first-team, taking charge of ten games.
He won half of the matches and was named Championship manager of the month in October 2015, before he stepped aside when Dean Smith was appointed.
Lee joined the England youth setup as a specialist coach in 2017, before becoming England U20 head coach in 2021.
He only took charge of two matches before being promoted to the U21 side in July of the same year.
His stunning record as England U21 boss includes winning 79.3% of his 29 matches in charge, as well as leading the Young Lions to a Euros win in 2023 — their first title in the competition since 1984.
The former Under-21s boss was revealed as the replacement for Gareth Southgate on August 9, 2024.
He will be in charge of England‘s matches against the Republic of Ireland on September 7, and Finland at Wembley three days later.
Ex-England left-back Ashley Cole has been named as Lee’s assistant coach.
It’s weird, one minute I was down in the dumps. The next I’m thinking over which of two squads to join
Lee Carsley
A statement from the FA confirmed the news, reading: “Lee Carsley has been appointed interim head coach of England senior men ahead of the start of the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League campaign.
“Carsley will step up from his role in charge of the Men’s U21s, initially for September’s fixtures away to Republic of Ireland and at home to Finland.
“But with a view to remaining in the position throughout autumn while the FA’s recruitment process for a new permanent head coach continues.”
Lee said: “It’s an honour to step up and lead this England squad on an interim basis.
“As I am very familiar with the players and the cycle of international football, it makes sense for me to guide the team while the FA continues the process to recruit a new manager.
“My main priority is to ensure continuity and our goal is to secure promotion in the UEFA Nations League.”
Lee Carsley is married to Louisa, but when the couple tied the knot hasn’t been reported.
They live in Kenilworth, Warwickshire with their three children — two sons named Callum and Connor, and a daughter called Lois.
Lee qualified for the Irish national side through his grandmother, who was from County Cork.
In 1995, Ireland manager Jack Charlton’s assistant Maurice Setters approached Lee about joining the naton’s U21 set-up.
After his club at the time, Derby, was approached by the FA about inviting then 21-year-old Lee to join England U21s at the Toulon Tournament, he seemingly had a decision to make.
But he was struck down with a serious injury, could not got to the competition representing either nations, and was under the impression his England U21 chance had passed him by.
Following his recovery however, in November 1995 he had a tough choice to make.
Speaking to local reporters in Derby at the time, he said: “It’s weird, one minute I was down in the dumps. The next I’m thinking over which of two squads to join.”
Lee spoke with speaking with Derby manager Jim Smith before making his decision.
Smith said full England international caps are hard to come by, whereas the Ireland route represented more of an opportunity for playing time.
A week later Lee played the Republic of Ireland U21s 3-1 defeat against Portugal.
At the time, he told the Derby Telegraph that he chose Ireland because he “could wait forever for another call” from England.
He went on to add that his Irish grandfather was “absolutely delighted” and that he was “happy with the choice”.
His international career playing for the Ireland men’s team lasted from 1997 to 2008.
Lee earned his first cap for the Ireland senior side on October 11, 1997 in a World Cup 1998 qualifying match against Romania, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
He went on to play in Ireland’s two playoff matches against Belgium — ultimately failing to qualify after a 3-2 aggregate defeat.
Lee became a regular fixture in the team during the nation’s unsuccessful Euro 2000 qualifying campaign.
He was selected in Mick McCarthy‘s squad for the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, despite not featuring regularly in internationals for the previous year and a half and only playing in one qualifier for the tournament.
However, Lee only made one appearance during the tournament as a late substitute in a 3-0 group stage win over Saudi Arabia.
On the international stage, Lee won 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland senior side in a career spanning over a decade.
