England's interim manager, Lee Carsley, has made it clear that he is not actively pursuing the role of full-time head coach for the national team. Instead, he expressed a willingness to return to his previous position overseeing the Under-21 squad. This revelation comes amid heightened speculation about his future, especially after he led the team through three international breaks successfully with victories over the Republic of Ireland and Finland last month.

However, the tide turned for Carsley and the national team during a shocking 2-1 defeat against Greece—their first-ever loss to the Greeks—at Wembley Stadium. Following the match, Carsley downplayed his chances of being named the permanent successor to Gareth Southgate. “I was quite surprised after the last camp with the narrative of ‘the job is mine’ and ‘it’s mine to lose’,” he stated in a post-match press conference. “My role has been clear from the beginning: I’m managing three camps. Once those three matches are done, I hope to return to the Under-21s.”

In addition to Carsley's future now uncertain, concerns loom over star player Bukayo Saka, who limped off during the match against Greece. Carsley confirmed that Saka is set to undergo assessments to determine the extent of his injury. “He’s being evaluated. It was apparent that he experienced discomfort in his leg during the lead-up to the first goal. We will keep an eye on his condition,” Carsley mentioned.

As the football community holds its breath regarding Saka's health ahead of important upcoming fixtures, the future of the England team leadership also hangs in the balance. Will Carsley step up or step aside? And how serious is Bukayo Saka's injury? Stay tuned for more updates as these stories unfold.