Ashley Cole leaves England Under-21s after back-to-back Euro wins

On a quiet morning at St. George's Park, Ashley Cole announced he is stepping away from his coaching role with the England Under‑21s, a position he has held since joining the Young Lions set‑up in 2021. Lee Carsley, the senior interim manager, was among those who praised his impact.

Cole quickly became an influential figure in England's youth system, working closely with emerging talents across the age groups. His experience as a former England international added credibility to the coaching staff.

Back-to-back Euro triumphs

He was part of the coaching team that secured European Under‑21 Championships in 2023 and again in 2025. Those victories marked England's first consecutive titles at the tournament level.

Beyond the pitch, Cole held a broader role with the FA, supporting development pathways that feed into the senior men’s team. His work helped align the youth pipeline with the senior squad’s objectives. The FA praised his strategic input on player progression.

Cole also served as assistant to Under‑21 boss Lee Carsley when the latter assumed interim charge of the senior side. During that period his tactical insight was valued by the coaching group. The partnership reinforced continuity between the age‑group and senior setups.

Carsley's tribute to Cole

Carsley said, “I want to pay tribute to Ashley who played a major part in our two Euro wins and also had a key role in the current campaign with his tactical and technical knowledge.” He added, “As well as being an important part of our coaching team, he also had a positive, inspirational impact on the players given his own elite experience.”

The ex‑Arsenal and Chelsea left‑back brought elite playing experience to the coaching table, drawing on his time at both clubs. His defensive background informed the defensive coaching sessions for the Young Lions.

The announcement was accompanied by a Getty photograph released by the FA. The image captured Cole speaking with the squad before a training session.