The FA are doubting whether Lee Carsley wants the England job full-time after embarrassing 2-1 defeat by Greece… after the interim boss said he will ‘hopefully’ return to the U21 side

The Football Association have major reservations over whether current interim England head coach Lee Carsley wants the position on a permanent basis.

The governing body wanted to review the situation following November’s Nations League matches versus Greece and Ireland, both of which Carsley is expected to be in charge for.

But there have been major internal doubts in recent days over whether Carsley even wants the role after he said ‘hopefully’ he can return to the Under-21s once his interim period is over.

If England lose on Sunday then the damage caused may well be irreversible. The FA have refused to comment.

Nevertheless, there is skepticism emerging from inside the FA about Carsley’s appetite for the job, particularly following his comments in recent days.

The interim Three Lions boss raised eyebrows when he said he would ‘hopefully’ return to his role with the Under-21s

England remain on the hunt for a replacement for Gareth Southgate after his departure at the end of Euro 2024

Carsley has support at the FA but his refusal to publicly state that he wants the position on a full-time basis has led to a feeling that he is not totally convinced about taking the job on permanently.

Meanwhile, Carsley has staunchly defended his gung-ho approach in the embarrassing loss to Greece – but is still considering major changes against Finland.

Interim head coach Carsley has been fiercely criticised for his team selection since England slumped to defeat at Wembley on Thursday night but came out fighting on Saturday in justifying his controversial tactics.

Nevertheless, the 50-year-old is planning as many as five changes to the ultra-attacking side that lost to Greece, with Phil Foden and Anthony Gordon among the players sweating.

There have also been indications in training that Trent Alexander-Arnold, a right back by trade, could play on the opposite flank .

Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Angel Gomes, Marc Guehi and Kyle Walker are among the players who could come into Carsley’s team as the head coach aims to add balance to his set-up.

However, Carsley is adamant he does not regret his previous team selection, insisting England must take themselves out of their comfort zone if they are to end their 58-year trophy famine.

Concerns have arisen after Carsley’s comments on the back of England’s defeat by Greece

He is adamant, however, that he does not regret his attacking team selection for the game

‘I understand the interest and the criticism, which is fine. I’m really wary of the fact that the last time we won something was 1966 so we have to have that ability to try something different,’ said Carsley.

‘Would I change anything? Maybe. Obviously the result I would change. But it’s not put me off. I don’t want to sit back in a month’s time with regrets that I was safe. This is a great opportunity, not only for myself, for the rest of the staff and the players to try something different.

‘Just to go with the same squad and the same players and almost, not doing the same thing, but not trying as many things.

‘Your human instinct is to be safe, to go with things that you’re comfortable with but it was important that in this period I felt that I have to be out of my comfort zone, I have to try something because we’ve got to put ourselves in a position where we can win.

‘To think that we can just do the same again and expect something different is naive.’

ENG (possible) vs Finland: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trent; Rice, Gomes; Palmer, Bellingham, Grealish; Kane.