November 18, BBC Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty bluntly stated that Lee Casley’s mission has been completed, laying the groundwork for Tuchel.
McNulty wrote: “Lee Casley’s task is done, and the FA took just minutes to thank the interim England manager for his excellent work.”
“There were some ups and downs during Casley’s tenure, with the biggest setback coming from his bold ‘no-striker’ lineup choice, which led to a shocking home loss to Greece in October. This result ultimately cost him the chance to leave with a perfect record.”
“From both results and player development perspectives, Casley can look back on his six matches with pride, demonstrating the qualities of a coach willing to make bold decisions, giving opportunities to young players, and adopting a fearless approach to team selection. Although things did not go as planned against Greece, he still provided many positive messages for Tuchel when that report lands on his desk.”
“In his last match, there was even a statistical marvel, with four England players scoring their first senior goals in the game against Ireland. They are Gordon, Gallagher, Bowen, and Bailleys. This is the first time such an occurrence has happened since England beat Northern Ireland in October 1930, when the scorers were Harry Burgess, Jimmy Hampson, Sammy Crooks, and Eric Houghton.”
“During this international break, England had nine players withdraw, and Casley successfully led the team to two comprehensive victories despite the personnel shortage. This will certainly boost his personal reputation and satisfy both him and the FA.”
“Tuchel will benefit from Casley’s interim management, as he is determined to introduce young players and further open the pathway from the U21s to the senior team. During his tenure, Casley used a total of 32 players, giving debuts to eight—Morgan Gibbs-White, Gomez, Lewis Hall, Bailleys, Curtis Jones, Tino Livramento, Maduekwe, and Morgan Rogers.”
“Particularly noteworthy is Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, who performed admirably in both of his starts, while Chelsea forward Maduekwe was a constant threat. Gibbs-White showcased his creativity, and Newcastle’s Hall got a crucial opportunity at left-back, a position where Tuchel seems to lack options. Lewis and Munu also added to their England experience, which will be a positive note in the handover.”
“During Casley’s tenure, England’s performance means that Tuchel avoids the prospect of having to navigate the UEFA Nations League playoffs, and Casley has significantly strengthened the young foundation upon which his successor can build.”
