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A dramatic change, with now a new favourite to become the next England manager.
Lee Carsley had looked a certainty to get the job on a permanent basis, with The FA having bottled it when it came to naming Gareth Southgate’s replacement, refusing to name Lee Carsley, or anybody else, as permanent boss, instead giving it to Carsley on an ‘interim’ basis, when in reality clearly a six game interview.
September to November seeing all six Nations League group matches played out and so long as England did the business on the pitch against Finland, Greece and the Republic of Ireland, then it appeared obvious that Lee Carsley would get the job on a permanent basis.
After the wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland in his first two matches, Lee Carsley became a massive favourite with the bookies. Especially with no obvious alternative candidates, as Eddie Howe had made clear he had no intention of leaving Newcastle United.
Even after defeat to Greece, Lee Carsley remaining favourite with the bookies. A 7/4 favourite, with Thomas Tuchel 5/2 and then Eddie Howe one of a number of supposed candidates on 8/1, even though the Newcastle boss has made clear he isn’t interested in becoming the next England manager.
However, with media reports of Thomas Tuchel in ‘advanced talks’ with The FA to take the job, a dramatic change.
That following on from the shock home defeat to Greece, a very different picture now.
On Saturday morning this is the betting on the next permanent England manager (in brackets what the odds were back in July in the aftermath of Gareth Southgate’s resignation):
4/5 Thomas Tuchel (33/1)
9/4 Lee Carsley (12/1)
8/1 Graham Potter (5/4)
10/1 Eddie Howe (7/2)
10/1 Pep Guardiola (20/1)
25/1 Frank Lampard (33/1)
It would be an interesting move, if indeed The FA do indeed go with Thomas Tuchel.
With so few obvious English candidates, at least in terms of willing to take the job, a manager from overseas could be on the cards.
Something which it looked like The FA were determined not to do, after the Fabio Capello experience which ended with his resignation in 2012.
England confirmed schedule to end of 2024:
Saturday 7 September – Republic of Ireland 0 England 2
Tuesday 10 September – England 2 Finland 0
Thursday 10 October – England 1 Greece 2
Sunday 13 October – Finland v England
Wednesday 14 November – Greece v England
Saturday 17 November – England v Republic of Ireland