Man Utd cult hero and former England star appointed as Ashley Cole’s replacement as Birmingham coach

BIRMINGHAM have announced Ashley Cole’s replacement as assistant coach.

The Premier League winner joined the set-up under Wayne Rooney and remained even after the Manchester United legend was sacked in January.

But now, Cole has taken up a full-time role with interim England manager Lee Carsley.

Birmingham said: “Everyone at Blues wishes Ashley the best of luck for the future.”

And the League One club have acted by bringing in Tom Huddlestone to replace Cole after he left Wigan.

Manager Chris Davies, said: “Tom is an excellent coach and a great addition to our First Team Staff as we look to build on our start to the 2024/25 season.

“He has vast playing experience, which has been added to by coaching roles he has held with both club and international teams.

“This will provide a different dynamic to the group and I expect the squad to feed off his knowledge of the game.

“We are all looking forward to working with him and wish him every success at Birmingham City.”

Huddlestone, 37, played for Derby, Tottenham, Wolves, Hull, and United before hanging up his boots.

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The former midfielder won the League Cup with Spurs in 2008 and helped Hull get promoted in 2016.

For England, Huddlestone made only four appearances due to the competition he was competing with in the squad.

He was a player-coach with United’s Under-21 side before joining Wigan’s coaching staff.

Birmingham were relegated from the Championship last season but sit second behind Wrexham in League One.