Cole leaves role as England U21 coach

What the report says

Ashley Cole has left his role as England Under-21 coach after five years, BBC Sport reports. The former Arsenal and Chelsea defender was part of Lee Carsley’s staff during a highly successful period for the age-group side, which included back-to-back European Under-21 titles.

Carsley paid tribute to Cole’s contribution, saying the 45-year-old had made a positive impact on players and had played an important part in the team’s recent success. BBC Sport says Cole also brought experience from several coaching roles after retiring as a player in 2019, including work at Chelsea’s academy, Everton, Birmingham City and with England during Carsley’s spell as interim senior men’s manager in 2024.

The article also notes that Cole recently tried a head-coach role in club football, taking charge of Serie B side Cesena in March before leaving in June after the club said there had been a change in strategy. His exit from the England Under-21 setup marks another shift in a coaching career that has moved between academy, assistant and senior roles.

Cole won 107 caps for England and is one of the most decorated defenders of his generation, with major honours at Arsenal and Chelsea. His departure matters because it comes after a successful cycle for England’s Under-21s and may prompt changes to the coaching structure around the team.