'I've heard rumours' - Gary Lineker gives his verdict on Lee Carsley and England's search for a new manager

Carsley has led England through two camps and has one more to go, by which time the FA will hope to have a better idea of Southgate's permanent replacement. The interim boss hasn't ruled himself out of the running, while the FA have eyes on hiring Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola. Given England's agonising near-misses in recent tournaments, the role comes with plenty of pressure.

Carsley has given some puzzling updates on his desire to take on the role, urging the FA to hire a "world class coach that's won trophies" after the Finland win - before backtracking by saying he's "definitely not" out of the race. Lineker questioned Carsley's "defeatist" comments on his The Rest is Football podcast and suggested the 50-year-old may already know what lies ahead for his future.

"I wonder – I've heard rumours and stuff – whether he knows something about what's happening in terms of they're looking for a new manager," the Match of the Day host said. "I think they've sounded out coaches. That's what the rumours are, that's what we've heard. And I wonder whether he thinks he's not going to get it so therefore he is perhaps protecting himself and wants to get his other job back.

"I don't know, because it seems a little bit defeatist. 'They need a winning coach', I mean, look at the two teams who have just won international tournaments. Spain didn't have a guy who had won trophies before, certainly not in league football, Lee Carlsey has won [the European Championship with England Under-21s]. So he has won a trophy, but he's talking about club sides. I wonder whether they have been sounding out people and he's found out and he just doesn't believe he is going to get the job."

England take on Greece and the Republic of Ireland in their final Nations League group stage matches next month. After that, Carsley may return to his previous role with the Under-21s with someone else - potentially Thomas Tuchel - brought in to lead the senior team.