Chelsea legend Ashley Cole has departed from his coaching position with the England Under-21 team following a significant contribution during one of the most successful periods in the Young Lions’ recent history, talkSPORT reports.

The former England, Arsenal, and Chelsea left-back joined the national coaching staff in 2021 and played a vital role in securing back-to-back European U21 Championship titles in 2023 and 2025.

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Cole served as part of Lee Carsley’s coaching team, who also appointed him during his interim role with the senior team.

In addition to his coaching duties, he collaborated with the Football Association (FA) to enhance player development and establish coaching pathways to the senior men’s team.

Carsley commended Cole for his contributions, emphasizing his tactical insight and expertise from competing at the highest level of football. He also acknowledged the impact Cole had on the players, noting that his top-tier experience provided essential guidance and motivation.

“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 stated.

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“As well as being an important part of our coaching team, he also had a positive, inspirational impact on the players given his own elite experience. I am certain he will have even more success in his coaching career, whatever the future holds.”

Cole’s coaching journey has included various positions across multiple clubs. The Premier League Hall of Famer has served as an assistant to former England teammates Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney at Derby County and Birmingham City in the Championship.

Additionally, he worked under Lampard at both Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League. After years of assisting, Cole took the role of head coach at Italian Serie B club Cesena.

The 45-year-old signed a short-term contract in March set to last until the season’s end but won only one of eight matches before resigning.

Chelsea legend Ashley Cole has stepped away from his coaching role with England Under-21s after playing a key role in one of the most successful periods in the Young Lions’ recent history, talkSPORT reports.

The former England, Arsenal and Chelsea left-back joined the national team set-up in 2021 and helped them win back-to-back European U21 Championship titles in 2023 and 2025.

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Cole was part of Lee Carsley’s coaching team when the Irish head coach was appointed interim head coach of the senior side.

He also worked with the Football Association (FA), supporting player development and coaching pathways towards the men’s senior team.

Carsley praised Cole for his contribution, highlighting his tactical knowledge and experience at the highest level of the game. 

He also pointed to the former defender’s influence on the players, saying his top-level career allowed him to provide valuable guidance and inspiration.

“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 said.

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“As well as being an important part of our coaching team, he also had a positive, inspirational impact on the players given his own elite experience.

“I am certain he will have even more success in his coaching career whatever the future holds.”

Cole’s coaching career has already taken him through several clubs and roles. 

The Premier League Hall of Famer has worked as an assistant to former England teammates Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney at Derby County and Birmingham City in the Championship.

He also worked under Lampard at Chelsea and Everton in the Premier League. After several years as an assistant, Cole was appointed head coach of Italian Serie B side Cesena. 

The 45-year-old arrived in March on a short-term contract due to run until the end of the season, but he won just one of his eight matches in charge before stepping down.