UEFA Nations League

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Nations League | League B

Sep 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK

Wembley Stadium

England
2 - 0
Finland

Kane (57', 76')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Schuller (66')

Interim England boss Lee Carsley admits to remaining uncomfortable in spotlight despite Finland win

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: September 10 2024 | 23:07

Last updated: September 20 2024 | 18:08

'I still don't feel comfortable': Carsley reacts to England's win over Finland

Interim England boss Lee Carsley admits he is still getting used to being in the spotlight after the Three Lions beat Finland by a 2-0 scoreline on Tuesday night.

Interim England boss Lee Carsley has insisted that he "remains out of his comfort zone" despite winning each of his first two matches in charge.

Carsley and his Three Lions squad went into Tuesday's UEFA Nations League fixture against Finland looking to build on the 2-0 victory versus Republic of Ireland at the weekend.

There were times in the first half when the visitors to Wembley Stadium threatened to take a surprise lead, England also squandering chances at the other end.

However, on what was his 100th appearance for the senior side, Harry Kane scored goals 67 and 68 on the international stage to deliver another 2-0 triumph.

England's Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal on September 10, 2024 © Imago

What did Carsley have to say?

The Football Association has been prepared to remain patient before deciding on a permanent successor to Gareth Southgate, there having only been six weeks between his resignation and the game with Republic of Ireland.

With back-to-back victories and clean sheets, Carsley has done his chances of being offered the position on a full-time basis no harm.

Although the 50-year-old would likely take the job in the long term if given the opportunity, the Under-21s boss has admitted that he is continuing to adapt to his time in the spotlight.

Speaking to ITV Sport, Carsley said: "I definitely don't feel comfortable still, I have been out of my comfort zone.

"Enjoyable but we have to had make sure every single day we are producing high standards. Fortunate to get two good results and about building on that."

In a separate interview with BBC Radio 5 live, he added: "As you can imagine it is a test. Not only for myself, but for the rest of the staff.

"We have shown to ourselves that we can do it and we can implement what we are trying to do. We can put ideas in place and the players have responded really well to what we have asked."

England's Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts on September 10, 2024 © Imago

What next for England's new-look side?

With Carsley at the helm for at least the remaining four Nations League fixtures, he now turns his attention to a home encounter with Greece on October 10.

Greece will make the trip to Wembley having also posted two successive victories, making it a potentially-pivotal contest in the race for top spot in the group.

Three days later, England will travel to Finland, before the remaining fixtures with Greece (away) and Republic of Ireland (home) take place on November 14 and November 17 respectively.