COLE ROLE
Ashley Cole leaves Birmingham to take up full-time FA job in major hint over Lee Carsley England future
He could also take up a new position in the set-up
ASHLEY COLE has left Birmingham to take up a full-time role with the FA.
The former England left-back was a part of Lee Carsley's backroom team for the Three Lions' matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
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He had worked with the under-21s alongside his Birmingham role before stepping up with Carsley for his temporary spell in August.
However, Cole will now leave the Blues to focus completely on his international commitments.
The 43-year-old had been a first-team coach at St. Andrew's since October last year after Wayne Rooney brought him to the club.
Cole remained on the coaching staff under Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett and Chris Davies following Rooney's dismissal.
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Meanwhile, he has worked with Carsley at under-21 level for the last three years, including their Euros triumph in 2023.
And Carsley promoted the Chelsea legend to his backroom team after becoming interim manager of the senior team.
The FA have not made clear whether Cole's permanent role is a move towards keeping Carsley at the helm of the senior side.
But the move would suggest that any eventual appointment would be expected to keep former left-back Cole within the coaching team - which will be seen by some as a vote of confidence in Carsley.
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The former Ireland and Everton midfielder oversaw England's Nations League wins against Ireland and Finland in his first two matches.
As a player, Cole won 107 caps for the Three Lions between 2001 and 2014, appearing at three World Cups.
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Since retiring in 2019, he has also had coaching roles at Chelsea and Everton under Frank Lampard.
England are back in action next month with Nations League matches against Finland and Greece.
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