Lee Carsley reveals Thomas Tuchel had no impact on naming England squad

Incoming England head coach Thomas Tuchel had no say in naming the latest squad, according to interim boss Lee Carsley, who has called up uncapped trio Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Lewis Hall and Curtis Jones for the games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland.

Tuchel was named as Gareth Southgate's permanent successor last month but will not start work until January 1, with Carsley to take charge of a third and final camp for next week's Nations League games in Athens and at Wembley.

"He hasn't had any influence on the squad selection. I've spoken to him by text, it's literally [just] 'congratulations'," Carsley said. "He's highly respectful of the job myself and the staff are doing, so we've been left to it, like we always have.

"I still see this as a massive privilege and the trust that the FA have shown in myself and the staff, in the three camps we've got, these are the final two games.

"We're really looking forward to a tough game in Greece and the Republic of Ireland at home.

"I think it's a really good appointment," Carsley added. "We spoke about having a coach with a proven good track record, Thomas has definitely got that.

"He's a coach I'm really looking forward to watching work and hopefully handing over a strong group of players with real potential to win a major tournament."

Carsley was asked if he had been approached about joining Tuchel's backroom staff and if he would be interested in the England job in the future.

"My role will be back with the Under-21s, a role I'm really, really privileged to do," he replied. "With that, there's total support for the senior team, the job and the role is quite clear in terms of helping produce players for the senior team.

"And I'm in a better position to do that because I've seen the levels the seniors are operating at.

"I've really enjoyed [being the interim manager], it's been challenging, it really has," he continued.

"It's a massive honour to have the trust that I've got from my bosses at the FA and the other staff.

"To be given that opportunity, I think we've shown we're capable of doing it. My priority is making sure I do a good job every single day, rather than looking too far ahead. It'll be a great achievement if we can get two positive results now and finish [the Nations League campaign] on a high."

Tuchel signed his England contract on October 8 but his appointment was not announced for a further eight days, leaving Carsley facing a series of difficult questions about his own chances of landing the job during the last international break.

The former Everton midfield declined to say if he knew about Tuchel's appointment but insisted he is "really comfortable" with what he had been told by the Football Association.

"My focus has always been on the games, I've been respected in terms of being left to get on with the job," Carsley said.

"People realise how tough the job is without worrying about outside influences but I'm really comfortable in the position and the information [I've been given]."

The FA have faced criticism for not appointing an English coach, with Tuchel set to be the country's third foreign boss after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

Carsley believes there are quality candidates coming through the FA's "pathway" but says they must be given opportunities at the highest level of the club game.

"I speak about players in our system getting the opportunity," he said. "We've definitely got players in our pathway capable of playing in the senior team and we've definitely got the same with the coaches.

"Ultimately we need opportunity. We need more English, British coaches in the Premier League and Championship, given that chance to show what they can do.

"The higher the level we can coach at, in terms of the Premier League, the Champions League, getting them those kind of experiences, the more beneficial that will be to the game in general.

"We have to earn that right and with the coaching courses and experiences St. George's Park provides, we're going in the right direction but we need that opportunity."