Lee Carsley, currently serving as the interim manager for England, has confirmed that he has not yet met Thomas Tuchel in person, despite the German coach's appointment as the permanent head coach of the national team. Tuchel, who is set to officially take over in January, will inherit the role after Carsley's tenure as interim boss.
Although they have not met face-to-face, Carsley mentioned that he and Tuchel have communicated through text messages. In these exchanges, they have congratulated each other and wished one another well. Carsley has no concerns about the lack of a personal meeting, stating during a press conference that it was clear when Tuchel would begin his role and that their communication has been cordial and professional.
As interim manager, Carsley is focused on preparing the England team for their upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. These matches will be his last responsibility before he returns to his previous role with the England Under-21s. Carsley expressed that he has no ill feelings about the situation, making it clear that he feels respected and valued in his current role. He emphasized his commitment to leaving behind a strong and well-prepared squad for Tuchel to take over.
Despite previous speculation about his future and questions regarding his interest in the permanent position, Carsley explained that his focus during that time had solely been on the upcoming matches and the team's preparation. He clarified that he was not preoccupied with discussions about the permanent role and felt well-supported by the FA throughout the process.
Carsley’s tenure as interim manager has been marked by professionalism and focus, and as he prepares to hand over the reins to Tuchel, he is committed to ensuring that the England squad is in the best possible shape for the new head coach.
