Lee Carsley: England job will not change me – I’m still a normal person

Lee Carsley has never been “comfortable” being called “boss” and prefers his players to refer to him by his first name or his nickname “Cars”.

England’s interim manager also said that he does not think the heightened level of scrutiny in his new role will change him and he intends to remain “grounded”.

Carsley will take charge of his second game as Gareth Southgate’s successor, initially on a temporary basis, when England face Finland at Wembley in a Nations League tie.

It will mark Harry Kane’s 100th appearance for his country – the striker will be presented with a gold cap before the game – and he joined Carsley for media duties, referring to him as “boss”.

“In terms of the boss bit, I’ve never really been comfortable with that. It’s really respectful that he is saying it but ‘Lee’ or ‘Cars’ is fine,” Carsley said before revealing that he had not talked to the players about how to address him, adding with a smile “Should I?”

Carsley’s response, having stepped up from the Under-21s for at least the six games this autumn in the Nations League campaign, is in keeping with his low-key approach having stated he intends to continue wearing a tracksuit on the touchline, will conduct the warm-ups before games and see himself as a head coach rather than a manager.

Asked what it was like to be thrust inevitably further into the spotlight, Carsley said: “It’s been fine. I think I definitely live in the real world. My house is very grounded. We have the same struggles and challenges that everyone does.”

Connor, one of Carsley’s three children with his wife, Louisa, was born with Down’s Syndrome and he added: “I think living as well with a child with special needs, I am definitely well involved in the reality of fund raising and statements and education and making sure he’s getting equal opportunities and making sure that the group we are involved in, as well as many other groups, we can do as much as we can.

“So, nothing’s changed. Someone asked me that the other day, as well, ‘What’s changed?’ It’s the same. Maybe I will have to be a little bit more aware when I am out and about.

“It’s fair to say I have had a little bit more attention from random people who support teams and shout ‘make sure you pick so-and-so’ when I get to Starbucks at a services! But very respectful.”

Carsley will speak to Southgate and his assistant, Steve Holland, after this international get-together and said: “I heard from him before camp, and I’ll definitely speak to him after camp. Gareth is really respectful of me having to pick the squad, same with Steve Holland as well. I’ll definitely catch up with both of them after camp.

“I’m not sure what we will talk about. But I’ll definitely get their opinion. I would be interested to see what they thought.”

Having lost two European Championship finals and reached a World Cup semi-final and quarter-final under Southgate, Carsley knows what the expectation for the next England manager – whether it is him or not – is. “Ultimately, we can talk about the shirt [being] heavy, light, too much pressure, not enough pressure… we’ve got to win. We’ve got to win [a trophy],” he said, having led England to victory at the Under-21s Euros last year.

“You can dress it up however you want. We need to win a major tournament. The majority of the players – 98 per cent of them, whatever it is – are playing in the Premier League, which is probably seen as the strongest league in the world. Hopefully they can get their rewards.”

There will be a full tribute to former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, who died last month aged 76, before kick-off.