England v Senegal: the ex-Carlisle United man helping Gareth Southgate

Paul Nevin, who played for the Blues 30 years ago, has a significant part in Gareth Southgate’s backroom team.

He is part of Southgate’s senior coaching staff with the national side and is involved with England in Qatar.

It sees Nevin helping the Three Lions prepare for tonight's second round clash with Senegal as Southgate’s side bid to reach the last eight.

Nevin, 53, rejoined the England staff last year on a part-time basis having had a previous spell with the national set-up.

He is first-team coach at West Ham United, but currently joins the likes of Chris Powell and Steve Holland in assisting Southgate.

Paul Nevin, third from left, with (l-r) Paul Proudlock, Richard Sendall, Tony Fyfe and Simon Jeffels at Brunton Park in 1992 (Image: Stuart Roy Clarke)

It may seem a far cry from Nevin’s time with the Blues in the 1991/2 season when they finished bottom of the entire Football League.

After joining Carlisle following a spell in the USA, former Shrewsbury man Nevin made eight appearances for Aidan McCaffery’s Cumbrians.

That included two starts, against Mansfield Town and York City, as well as substitute appearances against Crewe Alexandra, Maidstone United, Rochdale, Chesterfield, Northampton Town and Scunthorpe United, Nevin failing to score in his eight outings.

He then moved on to Yeovil Town before going on to have coaching spells with Fulham and in New Zealand and Qatar, and then followed a stint at Norwich City with roles at the Football Association.

He joined West Ham in 2020 but has remained in close contact with Southgate’s England set-up.

Paul Nevin at the World Cup in Qatar (Image: PA)

Nevin recently spoke of his coaching roles and potential future in management, telling the Evening Standard: “If the right opportunity came at the right time then I need to give it a go because maybe with that nudge at the door, if I’m successful, it can allow me to bring others in and give others opportunities.”

He has also spoken about the importance of being a black coach in such a high-profile current role.

“I’d never underestimate those moments because the kids watching might aspire to that,” he said.

Carlisle boss Paul Simpson, meanwhile, is remaining optimistic about England's chances in the World Cup.

The man who led the nation's Under-20s to World Cup glory in 2017 said: "It’s going to be tough - look at Brazil, look at France with their forward line, with Dembele, Mbappe…they’ve got good players.

"But I think we have as well.

"Senegal’s going to be a tough game because they are so unpredictable you can’t prepare for them, they’re so off the cuff. If we can be consistent I think we can do alright."

England kick off against Senegal at 7pm UK time.