Following Lee Carsley’s stellar debut as interim manager, England coach Ashley Cole is “set to leave Birmingham to focus full-time on his Three Lions role.
As an assistant to Lee Carsley, Cole was officially announced in August, but he continued to perform his duties at the League One club in addition to his new role. With the resignation of Gareth Southgate, Carsley was given temporary command of the men’s senior team, and he will stay in control for at least six games. With Cole as a member of his support team, he led his team to 2-0 wins in the UEFA Nations League against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, providing the ideal start to his term. After serving as a coach at the Blues, Everton, and subsequently Birmingham, Cole, a former defender for Arsenal and Chelsea, collaborated with Carsley on the Under-21 team.
However, his international obligations will now come first, according to The Athletic. According to Mail Sport, the FA has started corresponding with possible applicants for the position of head coach. Though Cole is rumoured to have impressed the FA enough to be allowed to continue on permanently, Carsley appears to be the front-runner.
Following Wayne Rooney’s appointment, Cole joined Birmingham in October 2023 and was managed by Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett, and Chris Davies. The forty-three-year-old was a member of Carsley’s coaching staff when the Young Lions won the 2023 European Under-21 Championship. Cole helped create a laid-back culture during the international break, as Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman disclosed, which was an important aspect of Southgate’s leadership. Alongside Carsley, the FA’s head of coaching Tim Dittmer and another former England international, Joleon Lescott, were also brought in last month. For his nation, Cole received 107 caps between 2001 and 2014.
Carsley has stated that he would be interested in accepting the head coach position on a permanent basis, but the FA is willing to choose an outside candidate. When asked if he was excited about the limelight the position requires following the victory over Finland at Wembley, he responded, “Am I up for it?” Without a doubt, football is the main focus. “Am I willing to do it?” I believe I could handle it. I have a solid understanding of the most crucial aspect of this work, which is the football, in my opinion. ensuring that the players have a favourable atmosphere in which to perform. It doesn’t seem like it would be any different.
Among the managers the FA are rumoured to have expressed interest in are Eddie Howe, the head coach of Newcastle, and Graham Potter, the former manager of Chelsea.