Alex Howell
BBC football news reporter

It is no secret that it would be good for the FA if Carsley was to succeed.

Before the Greece defeat last week, a senior source at the FA said it felt the process was “going well”.

That smooth transition, following in the footsteps of Southgate, would back the work they are doing at St George’s Park to create a pathway for players and coaches through the youth set-ups into the senior team.

FA technical director John McDermott and CEO Mark Bullingham are playing a key role in the recruitment process, and after last week’s results there will be even more discussion around Carsley’s final camp in November.

The FA is not commenting or offering guidance either way when asked whether they have conducted any interviews with potential candidates – which is giving space for the media debate about the process and who might be a candidate to rumble on.

It is true that most other job recruitment is done in a confidential manner and the FA believes its process should be no different.

The FA has always made clear it wants the best person available and Pep Guardiola – widely accepted as the world’s best coach – is out of contract at Manchester City at the end of the season. He has been linked with the role in the media, but he may yet extend his contract for a fourth time at City – and whether he could be tempted financially by the FA is another question.

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