Hands off, Thomas Tuchel: England's new manager will not influence Lee Carsley's selection for Three Lions' November fixtures

Tuchel has been appointed as the new England boss but will not take charge of the team until 1 January, 2025. Interim boss Carsley will therefore oversee the Three Lions' final games of the year in November against Greece and Ireland in the Nations League. According to the Daily Mail, Tuchel has already decided he will have no involvement in those squads and will not interfere with Carsley's selections for the two games. Tuchel is also not expected to attend next month’s World Cup 2026 qualifying draw in Zurich as it comes before his official start date with England.

Carsley has enjoyed two wins over Finland, a victory over the Republic of Ireland and a defeat to Greece during his time in interim charge and will surely want to go out on a high with victories in his final two games. He will have plenty of big calls to make over this squad too, particularly with a host of key players struggling for fitness currently. John Stones, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo and Jack Grealish are all injury concerns at present and could miss out. Meanwhile, Chelsea captain Reece James is fit again and may be handed a recall, while Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall is pushing hard for a place.

England currently sit second behind Greece in Nations League B Group 2 and, in all likelihood, will need to win in Athens to top the group. If they finish second, they will face a promotion play-off against a third-placed League A side in March.

Carsley is expected to announce his final England squad on Thursday. The Three Lions take on Greece a week later in Athens and then host Ireland at Wembley on November 17.