Lee Carsley took charge of six England matches before making way for Thomas Tuchel but the England Under-21s boss could have another opportunity put in front of him
Former interim England manager Lee Carsley is in contention to replace Ruud van Nistelrooy at Leicester City, it has been claimed. The 51-year-old has returned to his England Under-21 responsibilities since handing Thomas Tuchel the reins to the senior national side.
Carsley took charge of England’s six UEFA Nations League matches in 2024 after Gareth Southgate stepped down as manager. He oversaw five wins and one defeat, clinching promotion to the top tier of the Nations League for its next edition.
The former Ireland international midfielder hasn’t been involved in club management since 2017, when he took caretaker charge of Birmingham City for three games after Harry Redknapp’s exit. However, with Leicester potentially after a new face to head up a promotion challenge.
The Foxes only appointed Manchester United legend Van Nistelrooy in November, but his time could soon be up. They have picked up just eight points under the Dutchman, and their relegation was confirmed when they lost at home to Liverpool on Sunday.
According to Sky Sports, Carsley is one of a number of contenders to take over if Van Nistelrooy does indeed make way. Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl and former Southampton boss Russell Martin are reportedly among the others in the frame.
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Since dismissing Brendan Rodgers in April 2023, Leicester have had four permanent managers. Dean Smith joined on a short-term deal made way after failing to stave off relegation the following month, while Enzo Maresca was poached by Chelsea after leading the Foxes to an immediate return to the top flight.
Steve Cooper was Maresca’s successor, but he was dismissed after a defeat at home to Chelsea left the team one point outside the bottom three. Van Nistelrooy oversaw a victory in his first game in charge, against West Ham,, but has won just one more league game.
Of the three reported contenders, Martin is the most experienced. He led Southampton to promotion through the play-offs last season, after spells with MK Dons and Swansea City, and has taken charge of more than 250 senior club matches.
Most of Carsley’s experience has come on the international stage – at age-group and senior level – while Rohl is in his first managerial job. The 35-year-old, who served as Hansi Flick’s assistant with both Bayern Munich and Germany, saved Wednesday from relegation last term despite taking over with the team sat on three points from 11 games and has the Owls firmly in mid-table this term.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after Leicester’s relegation was confirmed, Van Nistelrooy was non-committal on his longer-term future. “I’m working in the coming weeks, it is my job to do everything in the best interests of Leicester City,” the former PSV Eindhoven boss said.
“I’m waiting on the clarity of the club and how they want to continue. It is the goal to lead the club. I have to wait on how the club sees things and take it from there.”
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