Ashley Cole Leaves England Under-21 Coaching Role

His departure removes a key architect of recent U21 success and leaves his next step toward senior management unclear.

Overview

Cole has stepped away from his England Under-21 coaching role after five years, a move that Lee Carsley described as the loss of a coach who offered tactical know-how and an inspirational presence for players.
He was part of the coaching team that delivered back-to-back European Under-21 Championships and is credited with a major role in the squads that won those tournaments.
Within the FA setup Cole worked on pathways into the senior team and acted as Carsley’s assistant when Carsley briefly led the senior side, giving him a wider development remit than typical U21 coaches.
Cole pursued senior management last year with a short spell in Italy at Serie B club Cesena and left that post after talks about a change in the club’s strategy.
As a former England full international with a high-profile trophy record at club level, Cole’s exit raises questions about continuity in England’s youth coaching and whether he will secure a permanent senior managerial role next.