Tuchel for England, defiant Djokovic, marathon record smashed, what happened overnight in sport

England get back to winning ways in Nations League, but questions over who will be in charge permanently remain

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Ruth Chepngetich runs with the Kenyan flag after crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon. Photo: TNS

Published: 7:30am, 14 Oct 2024Updated: 7:30am, 14 Oct 2024

There is a fallacy in professional sport that clubs or countries “deserve success”. A prime example being the likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa, whose fans are routinely said to be entitled to that because the two are considered big clubs.

Newcastle haven’t won anything since 1955, Aston Villa at least won the League Cup in 1996, but that hardly qualifies as a major achievement. A large fan base does not a big club make.

And so to England, where interim boss Lee Carsley believes a country that has not tasted success since 1966 should be entitled to an elite manager. What England deserve is to have a governing body that knows what it’s doing, but the continued silence surrounding who will replace Gareth Southgate suggests otherwise. Here then is what happened while you were sleeping.

A known unknown

In the latest non-answer from Lee Carsley as to whether he wants the England job or not, the interim boss said the country “deserved a world-class coach who has won trophies” – so not him then.

England’s Jack Grealish celebrates scoring his side’s first goal against Finland. Photo: Reuters

The Football Association are reportedly talking to ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel about the job, but haven’t committed one way or the other when it comes to the current incumbent.

Carsley has not said he doesn’t want it, or that he definitely does, so that’s about as clear as whether Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham can actually play in the same team with any level of success.

England at least got back to winning ways on Sunday, beating Finland 3-1 away, with goals from Jack Grealish, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Declan Rice. Arttu Hoskonen got a late consolation for the hosts. Afterwards Carsley said he was keeping an “open mind” as to whether he took the job full time.

Yamal injury concern

Teenage stand-out Lamine Yamal has left Spain’s squad after he strained a muscle in his left leg, and will miss the Nations League game at home to Serbia on Tuesday.