Lee Carsley: Wembley dugout can be lonely, says interim head coach as stint ends

Lee Carsley said the Wembley dugout can be “a lonely place when you’re not winning” as he spoke of his relief at guiding England back to the Nations League’s top tier.

Carsley’s six-match stint as interim head coach ended with a 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland that secured promotion to League A.

He will now make way for Thomas Tuchel, who starts work as the new England head coach on 1 January.

Carsley led the Three Lions to five wins from his six games in charge, with his sole defeat coming against Greece in October, when he picked an unconventional side loaded with attacking talent.

“I definitely felt like I have been out of my comfort zone but not beyond my capabilities,” Carsley said. “I never felt at any point I was drowning or I was struggling.

“I’ve taken the confidence that myself and the rest of the staff will be OK. I think we have got stronger as the [international] windows have gone on.

“You are always learning a lot about yourself when you’re in a position you are not used to. I think the most pleasing thing is the younger players coming through.”

Carsley, who stepped up from his position as England Under-21s head coach to lead the senior side after Gareth Southgate resigned in July, handed debuts to eight players during his tenure, but was also pleased with how the more experienced players reacted to him and his coaching staff.

“We have tried change things,” he added. “We have tried to adapt and move on the style, the way that we play, the control, the amount of possession we have, the amount of chances we create.

“There has been no resistance to that. If anything, they have taken that on. I think it helps that they have seen the 21s and the way that the 21s have tried to control and score goals.”