Manager in 'pole position' to take charge of England for Ireland and Finland games next month

A manager is in 'pole position' to take charge of England for September's Nations League fixtures.

Next month England will begin their Nations League campaign with games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, but at present the Three Lions do not have a coach.

Gareth Southgate stepped down from his position as manager last month the day after England's defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

The 53-year-old led England to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final during his eight-year tenure.

Several big names have been linked the the vacancy, with Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe the favourite to get the job.

The FA are also considering former Brighton and Chelsea manager Graham Potter, who has been out of work for the last 16 months.

The FA would be open to appointing a foreign coach, with former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino one of the main candidates.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has also been linked with taking charge once his contract with the Premier League champions expires next summer.

Another name under consideration is England Under-21s coach Lee Carsley, who has impressed since joining the England set-up in 2020.

The former midfielder was appointed as Under-20s coach before moving up to his current position the following year.

Last summer, he won the Euros with an Under-21s team that included Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon, who were part of Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.

According to The Telegraph, Carsley is in 'pole position' to take interim charge of England for the September internationals while the recruitment process for a permanent boss takes place.

Carsley is being considered for the permanent role, the FA will not provide an update on the search until a final decision has been made.

Should Carsley be appointed on an interim basis, then his first match will be in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland - the nation he represented as a player - on September 7.

England will then face Finland three days later at Wembley.