Ashley Cole has been handed a role within the England U21 set-up as an assistant manager to Lee Carsley.
The Young Lions were without a manager following the sacking of Aidy Boothroyd earlier in the year, with The Athletic previously suggesting that Carsley is going to be appointed on a permanent basis.
That appointment has now been confirmed by the FA, with initial reports having suggested that former Chelsea defender Cole has been handed a two-year-deal.
The role is already the 40-year-old’s third venture into coaching since his retirement with Derby County in 2019.
Upon announcement of his installation, Cole said: “I’m really happy to get this opportunity to support Lee and work with the best youngsters in the country.
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“I loved playing for the national team and to now get the chance to work as an England coach is a special feeling. St. George’s Park is an amazing place and I can’t wait to get started. I want to do my best to help young players to develop, and also learn from some brilliant people at the same time.”
Since hanging up his boots, Cole joined former Chelsea teammate Frank Lampard’s coaching set-up with the Rams, before following the ex-midfielder to Stamford Bridge after he replaced Maurizio Sarri at the helm.
Despite Lampard himself having been sacked by the Blues, Cole remains part of the set-up with the club and currently holds a coaching role within the Chelsea academy.
He is set to combine his new role with the England U21s with his current responsibilities at Cobham.
Speaking previously following confirmation of his return to Chelsea, Cole hinted that he was aiming for the very peak of coaching, an aspect that he could potentially take a step towards doing with his latest appointment.
Talking in 2019 to Chelsea’s official website, he said: “I want to be the best.
“I’ve been around a lot of great players and managers so it’s about understanding what it takes. I understood as a player what it took to be the best and now it’s about trying to transfer that into how I can be the best as a coach.”
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