Lee Carsley proudly returns to his role with the England Under-21 squad after successfully leading the senior team back into the Nations League’s top division. The Three Lions clinched promotion with a resounding 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland, Carsley’s former team, at Wembley on Sunday.

This decisive win highlighted Carsley’s influence as interim manager, as four players netted their first international goals.

During his six-game spell, Carsley worked with a total of 32 players and granted debuts to eight newcomers, many of whom he had previously coached in the Under-21 squad.

While the long-term impact of his transitional role between Gareth Southgate and future head coach Thomas Tuchel is yet to unfold, several players clearly thrived under his leadership.

Conversely, recent changes could leave some of Southgate’s established players feeling unsettled as they prepare for Tuchel’s arrival in January.

Mail Sport examines which players gained and lost ground during Carsley’s tenure. Notably, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold had struggled to secure Southgate’s confidence, often playing behind Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier.

Southgate’s experiment with Alexander-Arnold in midfield at the Euros was brief, lasting just 123 minutes, and he saw little action as England lost to Spain in the final.

In contrast, Carsley quickly showed faith in Alexander-Arnold, praising him as a “multi-versatile defender” and positioning him as a left-back in England’s 3-1 win over Finland last month. This confidence was rewarded, as Alexander-Arnold delivered Player of the Match performances in each of England’s first three victories under Carsley’s management.