Lee Carsley reveals that he’s spoken with incoming England boss Thomas Tuchel ahead of his final set of fixtures as Three Lions head coach

Lee Carsley revealed he has already spoken to new England boss Thomas Tuchel, but insisted the German has had no influence on the latest squad.

Current Three Lions interim boss Carsley shocked many when he announced his squad for the final UEFA Nations League matches against Greece and Ireland on Thursday.

The 50-year-old named uncapped stars Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Lewis Hall in the squad that will take part in next week’s matches.

Meanwhile, former Chelsea boss Tuchel will officially start work on January 1 after signing a contract with the Three Lions that runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup.

And Carsley revealed he has already been in contact with the German, insisting Tuchel had no influence on the final squad selection, which Mail Sport revealed earlier this week.

Thomas Tuchel (above) had no influence on the selection of the next England team on Thursday

Carsley said: “He had no influence whatsoever on the selection of the squad. I spoke to him by text, but it’s literally a congratulations.

‘I think he has a lot of respect for the work that not only myself, but also the staff do.

“We’ve been left to it, as always. I still see this as a huge privilege and the confidence that the FA has shown us in the last three matches, these are the last two games.

“We’re looking forward to a tough game in Greece and the Republic of Ireland at home, two games we’re looking forward to.”

England head to the Olympic Stadium in Athens next Thursday to take on Greece, who sit three points clear at the top of Group B2.

The international year ends with the Wembley showdown against Ireland – the country Carsley represented as a player – three days later.

More to follow…