Ashley Cole is set to leave Birmingham City and join the Football Association (FA) on a full-time basis.
The FA confirmed in August that Cole would assist Lee Carsley during his temporary spell in charge of the England men’s national team.
Cole assumed that responsibility alongside his duties as a first-team coach for Birmingham and helped oversee wins against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League.
The 43-year-old previously worked with Carsley at Under-21 level, during which he continued in roles at Chelsea, Everton and then Birmingham.
But now Cole is to depart the club game and focus solely on his international commitments.
It is unclear if the move suggests Carsley will be retained beyond the three international breaks he has been asked to lead England for, however that is obviously an option while the FA ponders who should succeed Gareth Southgate at the helm.
Either way, Cole has impressed the governing body sufficiently to be kept on indefinitely — whether that be in his existing role or another.
The FA gave Carsley the September games “with a view to remaining in the position throughout autumn”. The 50-year-old, who temporarily stepped away from his Under-21 post to take the job, seems to have made a good early impression and appears popular among the playing squad — many of whom know him from age-group level.
Cole joined Birmingham in October 2023 after Wayne Rooney’s appointment as manager. He has stayed under subsequent bosses Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett and Chris Davies.
The former left-back was part of the coaching set-up as Carsley’s England team triumphed at the 2023 European Under-21 Championship.
Fellow ex-England defender Joleon Lescott and the FA’s head of coaching Tim Dittmer were also appointed last month to support Carsley.
Cole was capped 107 times by his country between 2001 and 2014 and later followed Frank Lampard to Derby County, Chelsea and Everton.
Southgate stepped down as England boss in July after their European Championship final defeat against Spain, having spent eight years in the job.
(Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
