Ashley Cole leaves England Under-21 coaching role after five years
Cole departs the England age-group setup after a spell that delivered back-to-back European Under-21 titles, with reports pointing to a return to management next.
By Eyob Hadgu · 25 August 2026
Ashley Cole, who has left his England Under-21 coaching role after five years. Photo: Mark Freeman from Hornchurch, UK / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Ashley Cole has left his coaching role with the England Under-21 team after five years, ending a spell that included back-to-back European Under-21 Championship titles.
Cole had returned to the England set-up as part of the Under-21 coaching staff, a period regarded as one of the more successful stretches in recent England age-group football. Head coach Lee Carsley thanked Cole for his contribution as he departed.
What's next
Reports suggest Cole is now looking toward a return to club management, following a brief and difficult spell in charge of Italian Serie B side Cesena, where he lasted around three months before leaving the post.
This report draws on reporting from TribalFootball and El-Balad.
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