The former Birmingham City, Everton, Derby and Coventry star tipped to replace Gareth Southgate

Former Birmingham City midfielder Lee Carsley is among the leading contenders to replace Gareth Southgate as the manager of the England national team.

According to Sky Sports, a 'lengthy' shortlist has been drawn up, and Carsley is on that list along with Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter. The 50-year-old is currently the manager of the under-21s team and could now be ready to make the same transition Southgate did by moving in to the main job.

Carsley has been manager of the young Three Lions since 2021, and brought them success by winning the Under-21s EUROs in 2023. The squad included the likes of Cole Palmer, Jarrad Branthwaite, Curtis Jones, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke who have all gone on to establish themselves in the Premier League.

It was thought earlier this year that Carsley would depart England to take the Ireland job. Despite being born in Birmingham, Carsley earned 40 caps for the Republic of Ireland after qualifying through his grandmother who came from County Cork. He was a firm favourite for the job, but they failed to land him and instead appointed Heimir Hallgrimsson.

Carsley's patience could now payoff as he is being strongly considered for the England job. England have only two months until their next game, which ironically is against Ireland. They begin their UEFA Nations League campaign on September 7, and a manager will need to be in place by then.

England could take their time, and look to Carsley to manage the team for an interim period before their World Cup qualifying campaign begins in March. Carsley already knows a few members of the squad, and is highly thought of by those of a high position within the FA.

Carsley was born in Birmingham, but began his playing career at Derby County. He spent seven years in the East Midlands, before being sold to Blackburn Rovers for a reported £3.4m. His stay at Ewood Park only lasted a year and he was sold for £2.5m to Coventry City who enjoyed two years of his service, before being sold to Everton for £1.9m.

The Toffees got a good amount of games out of him with Carsley playing 198 times, but he eventually left for his hometown team in 2008. He helped Blues win promotion in 2009, but had limited opportunities once they got back to the Premier League. He left for Coventry in 2010, but returned to Birmingham seven years later as their under-21s coach.

Carsley got to manage the club on a caretaker basis when Harry Redknapp was sacked and was later assistant to Steve Cotterill, but was moved on when he was sacked in March 2018. Since 2020, Carsley has been working for the FA, and now finds himself in a strong position to lead the national team forward.