Thomas Tuchel has emerged as the second favorite to become the next permanent England manager following the national team’s 2-1 defeat to Greece at Wembley on Thursday night. The match saw interim boss Lee Carsley’s experimental approach backfire, raising questions about his future.
The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager, currently without a club, has also been linked to the Manchester United job. Tuchel is priced at 9/4 to take over if United decides to part ways with under-pressure boss Erik Ten Hag. However, there has been no official contact from United, leaving the English FA a potential opportunity to bring the 51-year-old German in as a replacement for Gareth Southgate.
Carsley’s Tactical Experiment Ends in Defeat
Lee Carsley, who remains the favorite at 5/4 to land the England role permanently, took a bold approach by fielding an experimental starting lineup against Greece. With Harry Kane absent, he opted to play without a recognized striker, instead relying on five attacking players—Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon, and Jude Bellingham. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis, playing as attacking full-backs, also featured in a fluid formation.
However, the strategy proved ineffective, as England struggled to find rhythm. The team’s disjointed play left the ITV commentary team confused about player positions and formations, while Greece regularly exploited gaps in England’s defense. The 2-1 loss could have been worse, as Greece had three goals disallowed by VAR.
Carsley Likely to Return to U-21s After Experiment Fails
Despite the setback, Carsley, who also manages the England U-21s, was philosophical in his post-match comments. He admitted that he expects to return to his U-21 role after the November international break.
“I’m lucky to have a good job with the U-21s,” Carsley said. “My remit was to do the three camps and then hand over.”
Still, Carsley has one more opportunity to stake his claim for the full-time role. England face Finland on Sunday, and a strong performance with a more conventional lineup could shift the narrative in his favor. Another poor result, however, might open the door for the FA to turn their attention to Tuchel sooner than anticipated.
Next Permanent England Manager Odds:
- Lee Carsley: 5/4
- Thomas Tuchel: 5/2
- Graham Potter: 4/1
- Eddie Howe: 8/1
- Pep Guardiola: 8/1
- Others: 20/1
