- Tuchel was appointed permanent England head coach at the start of October
- Carsley will oversee final international window with ties vs Greece and Ireland
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Thomas Tuchel will not influence the selection of England’s next squad despite his appointment as the national team’s next permanent head coach.
Current interim boss Lee Carsley will announce his party for the final UEFA Nations League fixtures against Greece and Ireland on Thursday – but Tuchel does not intend to have any input on the pending selection.
The former Chelsea boss officially starts work on January 1 – and Tuchel and the Football Association are standing firmly by the German’s contract.
Next week’s fixtures – Carsley’s last before he returns to Under-21 duty – could help sway Tuchel in terms of his first squad selection for March’s games.
Nevertheless, he plans to let Carsley pick the squad without interference, though he is expected to watch the games from home as he monitors his players from afar.
Thomas Tuchel will steer clear from influencing England’s selection for the Nations League
Interim manager Lee Carsley will oversee his final squad picks for ties versus Greece and the Republic of Ireland
Carsley already faces mounting injury issues ahead of the clashes against Greece and Ireland with John Stones, Eberechi Eze, Kobbie Mainoo and Jack Grealish emerging as fitness concerns.
On a brighter note, Chelsea captain Reece James has returned to action following his latest injury and has started the club’s last three Premier League games.
It remains to be seen whether Carsley is willing to select James given his injury history and the fact he has only recently returned to full fitness.
Carsley will be able to call upon Reece James if he wishes after the Chelsea defender’s return to full fitness
But the Blues star is highly-rated by England staff and would, in normal circumstances, be guaranteed a place in the squad.
If Grealish is unavailable – Jarrod Bowen or Morgan Rogers will be hoping for a call-up, while Newcastle defender Lewis Hall could be an option given England’s problems at left-back.
Meanwhile, it is also understood that that Tuchel will not attend next month’s World Cup 2026 qualifying draw in Zurich as all parties stick steadfastly to his start date.
