Former Premier League striker Gary Lineker has claimed that interim manager Lee Carsley was his first choice to take over as England manager, despite the Football Association’s (FA) preference for ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel.
The German strategist, who won the Champions League with the Blues in 2020/21, has signed an 18-month contract worth £5 million per year, more than doubling Gareth Southgate’s annual salary during his 201-game reign.
Read Also:Kylian Mbappé Trains With Real Madrid, Amid Swedish Claims Rape Allegations
Carsley had been touted as a potential alternative, but the Birmingham-born manager, who won the 2023 European Championships at the Under-21 level, ruled himself out following England’s 3-1 victory over Finland on Sunday.
Lineker would have given Carsley the job full-time.
‘I have seen enough to say that the player actually trusts him.’
On The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker, who also played for Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, and Leicester City, stated that Carsley would have been his first choice: “I would have handed the position to Lee Carsley. I’ve seen enough to believe that the guys truly trust him.”
Suggesting that he, in his four-game term as interim manager thus far, has generated an appealing brand of football – something England have perceptibly lacked in recent years. Lineker stated:
“He has the imagination to create something that is enjoyable to watch and entertaining: front-footed football. I truly liked him. But I could tell he knew he wouldn’t get the job. I believe this occurred between his first camp and shortly before the first Greece game, and it influenced his mindset.”
COMMENTS