Lampard threatens Carsley’s England dream: Chelsea flop ‘in talks’ for vacant role

Robin Bairner

• 12 Sep 2024 05:52 CDT
• 3 min read

Lee Carsley finds himself facing a challenge from Frank Lampard to become the next England manager, with the former Chelsea manager still among the favourites for the Three Lions role, according to a report.

Carsley has been put in temporary charge of England following the departure of Gareth Southgate following the defeat to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.

The U21 boss had made a positive start to life in the dugout, recording victories over Ireland and Finland in Nations League action, yet according to a report in the Telegraph these wins may not be enough to secure him the role on a permanent basis.

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It reports: “Despite Lee Carsley’s encouraging audition as interim head coach so far, the Football Association has spoken with other managers.

“Eddie Howe, Graham Potter and Frank Lampard remain on the FA’s radar, while some sources still claim that Pep Guardiola would be its dream appointment.”

Lampard would be a strange appointment given he was widely condemned for a lack of tactical knowledge during spells with Chelsea and Everton.

England, meanwhile, are likely to be priced out of an approach for Newcastle manager Howe, while Potter has not worked for the last year after leaving Chelsea.

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Carsley confirms England interest

Carsley remains the favourite for the job, and although initially refused to be drawn into whether it is a role he wants on a full-time basis, he has confirmed that he is indeed interested.

“Am I up for it? It is more about football, definitely. Am I up for it? I think I am up for it,” he said.

He was then asked whether the England job is an ‘impossible’ one.

“I’ve not heard that one, no. Not heard that,” he said. “I think it’s a really good job, it’s a job where, when you look at different opportunities, the first thing you think is: ‘Can you win?’ Can you be in a position where you can win? This job definitely ticks that box. We’ve got the players to be really, not only be competitive, but to win a major trophy.

“From a confidence point of view, I think I’ve shown I can do it or we’ve shown that we can do it as a staff. I said at the first press conference we had that I feel like a self pair of hands and I think we’ve shown that.”