Ashley Cole Steps Down as England Under-21 Coach After Successful Five-Year Tenure
Ashley Cole has vacated his role as an England Under-21 coach, concluding a five-year term in the position. The former defender, associated with clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal, was part of Lee Carsley’s coaching staff that led the team to back-to-back European Under-21 titles.
In a statement, Carsley praised Cole, acknowledging his “positive, inspirational impact on his players” during their successful campaigns. “I want to pay tribute to Ashley, who played a major part in our two Euro wins and also had a key role in the current campaign with his tactical and technical knowledge,” Carsley remarked. “I am certain he will have even more success in his coaching career, whatever the future holds.”
Cole, who hung up his boots in 2019 before transitioning to coaching, honed his skills at Derby County under Frank Lampard. He later worked in Chelsea’s academy and took up assistant roles at Everton and Birmingham City under Wayne Rooney. He also collaborated with the England senior team during Carsley’s brief tenure as interim manager in 2024.
Recently, Cole assumed the head coach position at Serie B club Cesena in March after experiencing discouragement in his managerial pursuits within the English football pyramid. However, he left his role in June after discussions with the club’s sporting director about a shift in the club’s strategy.
During his illustrious playing career, Cole earned 107 caps for England and amassed numerous trophies with Arsenal and Chelsea. His accolades include three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, seven FA Cups, and one League Cup.
Ashley Cole has left his role as an England Under-21 coach after five years in the position.
The former Chelsea and Arsenal defender was part of Lee Carsley’s coaching team which guided the side to back-to-back European Under-21 titles.
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Carsley said the 45-year-old Cole, who retired from playing in 2019 before going into coaching, had a “positive, inspirational impact on his players”.
“I want to pay tribute to Ashley who played a major part in our two Euro wins and also had a key role in the current campaign with his tactical and technical knowledge,” he added.
“I am certain he will have even more success in his coaching career whatever the future holds.”
After completing his coaching badges at Derby County under Frank Lampard, Cole worked in Chelsea’s academy before further spells assisting managers at Everton, Birmingham City – under Wayne Rooney – and then England during Carsley’s brief spell as interim boss of the senior side in 2024.
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Cole took over as head coach of Serie B club Cesena in March after feeling “discouraged” within the English football pyramid from succeeding in a managerial role.
He left the role in June after discussions with the club’s sporting director regarding a “change in the club’s strategy”.
As a player Cole won 107 England caps and secured multiple trophies with Arsenal and Chelsea, including three Premier League titles, the Champions League, the Europa League, seven FA Cups and one League Cup.
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