Lee Carsley’s interim tenure as England manager has had its share of challenges, but his latest success could pave the way for a smoother transition for incoming coach Thomas Tuchel. After a tumultuous period, including the disappointing home defeat to Greece in October, Carsley’s side responded with a commanding 3-0 victory in Athens, delivering a performance that not only erased the memory of that loss but also provided Tuchel with real hope for the future.

England’s dominant win at the Olympic Stadium left the Greek crowd largely silent by the final whistle, showcasing a new sense of confidence within the team. With this result, England now controls their fate in League B, Group 2. A win over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday will see them promoted back to the top tier, sparing Tuchel the uncertainty of a potential play-off in March.

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Carsley’s side overcame adversity, with a depleted squad due to nine player withdrawals. Even captain Harry Kane expressed his frustration publicly—a rare moment of public dissent. However, in a bold move, Carsley opted to bench Kane in favor of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, a decision that paid off immediately. Watkins scored just seven minutes into the match, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

England’s dominance continued as Jude Bellingham’s shot deflected off Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos for a second goal. The final touch of brilliance came from debutant Curtis Jones, further sealing England’s impressive victory.

With the team in strong form heading into the final Nations League match of Carsley’s tenure, Tuchel will take over a squad poised for success, ready to challenge for top-tier competition once again.