By ending his interim period as England manager with a victory over the Republic of Ireland next weekend, Lee Carsley can repair the damage done to his reputation since he was appointed as Gareth Southgate’s temporary successor back in August. Should Carsley leave England at the top of the table having also beaten Greece on Thursday in Athens, it would mark a successful interim tenure; otherwise the muddle of the defeat to Greece and his tendency to speak in riddles over the past four months will weigh heavily on him should he pursue another job in senior management.
There should still be plenty of offers and speculation. Carsley has already been linked to the vacancy at Coventry City and will again be strongly linked with