Birmingham City coach Ashley Cole is set to leave the club to take up a permanent role with the FA, according to The Athletic.
The 43-year-old had been juggling both roles but looks to be leaving St Andrew’s to focus solely on his position with England. Cole has been assisting Lee Carsley during his temporary spell in charge of the national team, having previously worked with the ex- midfielder with the under-21 side, and now appears to be continuing with the former Republic of Ireland international at senior level. Cole and Carsley led the Three Lions to two wins from two over the international break, with victories over Ireland and Finland.
Carsley is set to stay at the helm throughout the autumn, with Cole assisting him, leading to the latter to decide to step down from his role at Birmingham. This will likely come as a blow to the League One side, who had benefitted from Cole’s experience from his playing days. The former left-back accumulated 107 international caps throughout his career, playing at multiple major tournaments and being his country’s first choice in his position.
At club level, Cole made over 300 appearances in the top-flight for Arsenal and Chelsea, playing in the invincible 2003-04 season for the former and winning four FA Cups with the latter. After retirement, he worked alongside former teammate Frank Lampard as a coach, before making the move to Birmingham.
It’s been a decent start for the Blues, but it remains to be seen whether they can keep it up without Cole. Lying 4th in League One, they are hot favourites for instant promotion and will hope to kick on as their new squad gels. They’ll have to do it without one of their key men behind the scenes, though.
Writer’s View
This is a blow for Birmingham, who have started well and need to keep going if they want to go up meet their high expectations having spent so much. With the squad they have, you’d expect them to go up whoever they had coaching them, so they may be fine regardless. As for Cole, he looks to have high potential in the coaching business, so England may be the right move for him.
