- Ashley Cole was recruited to support Lee Carsley during his temporary stint.
- He had balanced roles for both club and country but will soon leave the Blues.
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England manager Ashley Cole is to leave Birmingham City to focus full-time on his job with the Three Lions, according to reports.
Cole was confirmed as one of Lee Carsley’s assistants in August but took on his new responsibilities alongside his duties at the League One club.
Carsley has been put in temporary charge of the senior men’s team following the departure of Gareth Southgate and will lead the team for at least six games.
His tenure got off to the perfect start following 2-0 wins against the Republic of Ireland and Finland in the UEFA Nations League, with Cole forming part of his support team.
Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Cole had worked with Carsley at Under-21 level, balancing that role while coaching at the Blues, Everton and later Birmingham.
Ashley Cole will leave his post at Birmingham to focus on his work with England
Cole was recruited to support Lee Carsley after his appointment as interim head coach.
But according to The athleticHis international commitments will now take priority.
As reported by Sports mailThe FA have begun the process of speaking to potential candidates for the full-time manager’s job. However, Carsley appears to be the number one candidate and Cole is said to have impressed the FA enough to stay on indefinitely.
Cole joined Birmingham in October 2023 following the appointment of Wayne Rooney and remained under subsequent bosses Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett and Chris Davies.
The 43-year-old had been part of Carsley’s coaching staff for the Young Lions’ triumph at the European Under-21 Championship in 2023.
As Mail Sport’s Ian Ladyman revealed, Cole contributed to the relaxed atmosphere during the international break, something that was a key part of Southgate’s stewardship.
Joleon Lescott, another former England international, and Tim Dittmer, the FA’s head of coaching, were also recruited alongside Carsley last month.
Cole made 107 appearances for his country between 2001 and 2014.
Cole joined Birmingham in October 2023 and balanced his duties with the Three Lions.
Cole, a former England international, is said to have impressed the FA enough to stay.
Carsley has confirmed he would be interested in taking on the head coaching role on a permanent basis, but the FA are open to appointing an external candidate.
Asked after the win over Finland at Wembley if he was excited given the attention the job brings, he said: “Am I ready for it? It’s definitely more about football.”
“Am I ready for it? I think so. I have my feet firmly on the ground when it comes to the most important part of this job, which for me is football. I make sure I create a good environment so that the players can perform at their best. I don’t think it will be any different.”
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and former Chelsea boss Graham Potter are among the managers the FA are believed to have shown interest in.
