Ashley Cole has left his role as an assistant coach at Birmingham City to focus on his role at Birmingham City to pursue his coaching ambitions with the national team.
Cole was confirmed as one of Lee Carsley’s assistants in August but assumed his new responsibilities alongside his duties at the League One club.
Carsley was placed in temporary charge of the men’s senior team after Gareth Southgate’s departure and will lead the side for at least six matches.
His tenure got off to a perfect start after 2-0 victories against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League, with Cole a part of his support staff.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Cole had worked with Carsley with the Under-21s, balancing that role while coaching at the Blues, Everton and later Birmingham.
Cole was drafted in to support Lee Carsley after his appointment as interim head coach
Ashley Cole will step down from his Birmingham role to focus on his work with England
The League One club released a statement confirming Cole’s exit from the Blues.
‘Blues can confirm the departure of First Team Coach, Ashley Cole.
‘Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Cole had worked with Carsley with the Under-21s, balancing that role while coaching at the Blues, Everton and later Birmingham.
‘The 43-year-old joined the Club in October 2023, working with the Men’s First Team for more than 10 months, with the recent Sky Bet League One victory over Wigan Athletic being his last match in post.
‘A 107-time England international, he will now assume a full-time role assisting Interim Manager, Lee Carsley, for the Three Lions’ Autumn UEFA Nations League, League B Group 2 fixtures, the first two of which saw them beat the Republic of Ireland and Finland during the recent international break.
‘Everyone at Blues wishes Ashley the best of luck for the future.’
As reported by Mail Sport, the FA have begun the process of speaking to potential candidates for the full-time head coach role.
Carsley, however, looks to be the No 1 contender and Cole is said to have impressed the FA enough to stay on indefinitely.
Cole joined Birmingham in October 2023 after Wayne Rooney’s appointment as head coach
Cole played an important role in Carsley’s Under-21 European Championship triumph in 2023
Cole joined Birmingham in October 2023 after Wayne Rooney’s appointment and he remained under subsequent bosses Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett and Chris Davies.
The 43-year-old had been part of Carsley’s coaching team for the Young Lions’ triumph at the European Under-21 Championship in 2023.
As Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman revealed, Cole contributed to the relaxed atmosphere over the international break, something which was a key part of Southgate’s administration.
Joleon Lescott, another former England international, and Tim Dittmer, the FA’s head of coaching, were also drafted in alongside Carsley last month.
Cole was handed 107 caps for his country between 2001 and 2014.
