Gary Lineker believes England have sounded out coaches about taking over from Lee Carsley, with the 63-year-old revealing he's heard 'rumours' following their 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday night.
The Three Lions picked up all three points in Helsinki, with Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice all finding the net.
Carsley had, until recently, been the favourite to take the England job.
But the 50-year-old has hinted he's not interested and figures within the FA are believed to have concerns over whether he's actually keen to take over permanently.
Gary Lineker believes England have sounded out coaches about taking over from Lee Carsley, with the 63-year-old revealing he's heard 'rumours' following their 3-1 win over Finland on Sunday night
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Lineker, speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, has opened up on England.
He claims he's heard rumours that they've 'sounded out' other coaches amid links with Pep Guardiola, Eddie Howe and Thomas Tuchel.
And Lineker also expressed a belief that Carsley sounded 'defeatist' when he hinted he wasn't keen on becoming England's next permanent manager after Gareth Southgate.
"I wonder - I've heard rumours and stuff - whether he knows something about what's happening in terms of they're looking for a new manager," he said.
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"I think they've sounded out coaches.
"That's what the rumours are, that's what we've heard - and I wonder whether he thinks he's not going to get it so therefore he is perhaps protecting himself and wants to get his other job back.
"I don't know, because it seems a little bit defeatist. 'They need a winning coach', I mean, look at the two teams who have just won international tournaments.
"Spain didn't have a guy who had won trophies before, certainly not in league football, Lee Carlsey has won a World Cup [he won the European Championship with England's U-21s]!
"So he has won a trophy, but he's talking about club sides.
"I wonder whether they have been sounding out people and he's found out and he just doesn't believe he is going to get the job."
Reports over the weekend indicated that Tuchel was the new favourite to take charge of the side.
The German is a serial winner who has won trophies with the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich throughout his career.
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Gary Lineker thinks Lee Carsley sounded 'defeatist' after England's win over Finland
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Tuchel is, however, believed to be under consideration at Manchester United if they choose to sack Erik ten Hag.
And he could be tempted to return to club management, instead of taking on an international gig.
Guardiola is also reportedly a 'genuine candidate'.
The Spaniard's contract at Manchester City is due to expire next summer and, with no renewal signed, speculation is mounting that he could be about to leave the Etihad Stadium.
Gary Lineker believes England are looking at other managers besides Lee Carsley amid links to Thomas Tuchel and Pep Guardiola
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However, Guardiola has stressed he's yet to make up his mind and could end up staying at City and adding to his legacy in English football.
Newcastle boss Howe has many admirers within the FA and would deliver the attacking football fans crave.
He is believed to be content on Tyneside for the time being, however, something that could force England into looking elsewhere.
