HERE WE GO :ASHLEY COLE SET TO LEAVE BIRMINGHAM CITY TO JOIN FA AS FULL-TIME COACH
|This move will see Cole transition into an expanded role with the England national team, as he steps away from club duties to focus solely on his international coaching responsibilities.
In August, the FA confirmed that Cole would temporarily assist England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, former Birmingham City player and coach, as part of the national team setup. Cole, 43, supported Carsley in the UEFA Nations League, helping England secure wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland. His stint with the national team has led to widespread praise, solidifying his position within the FA’s coaching staff.
Rumours of Cole’s departure from Birmingham City had been circulating among the club’s fanbase, and these were confirmed when The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reported that Cole would leave the club to focus fully on his England coaching duties.
END OF THE ROONEY-ERA COACHING STAFF
Cole’s departure marks the end of an era at Birmingham City, as he was the last remaining member of the coaching staff hired during Wayne Rooney’s short and ill-fated tenure as manager. Rooney’s stint, which began in October 2023, lasted just three months, during which time he brought in a coaching team that included John O’Shea, Carl Robinson, and Pete Shuttleworth.
All three have since transitioned to new roles: O’Shea served as interim manager before becoming assistant coach to Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson. Robinson joined Atlanta United in MLS as assistant coach and Shuttleworth reunited with Rooney at Plymouth, where the Pilgrims currently sit 22nd in the relegation zone with just 2 points as Rooney has yet to secure a league win this season.
Despite Rooney’s difficult tenure, Cole stayed on at Birmingham under subsequent managers Tony Mowbray, Gary Rowett, and current head coach Chris Davies. However, his exit now leaves a void in the coaching staff.