Birmingham City provide key update on Ashley Cole as coach lands new job

Birmingham City have confirmed that first team coach Ashley Cole will follow Lee Carsley up to the England senior set-up.

Cole has been working as Carsley's assistant coach with the under-21s and played his part in their European Championships win last summer. Carsley has been appointed England manager on an interim basis following the departure of Gareth Southgate and Cole will be part of his coaching staff.

Carsley's first games in charge come in September when England face Republic of Ireland and Finland in Mations League fixtures. Many people believe Carsley is auditioning for the top job after Southgate was promoted from the under-21s in 2016.

Cole will provide Carsley with some vital experience of playing for England having accumulated 107 caps for his country during an illustrious Premier League career with Arsenal and Chelsea. A brief statement from Blues said: "Birmingham City can confirm that First Team Coach, Ashley Cole, will take on a new role alongside his Club duties. The 43-year-old has assumed a position in support of the England Men’s National Team, having previously worked alongside current Interim Manager, Lee Carsley, with the under-21s."

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Cole was added to Blues' coaching staff in October shortly after the appointment of Wayne Rooney as manager. He survived the cull when Rooney was sacked and continued to work for the club under Tony Mowbray and Gary Rowett in the second half of last season.

New Blues boss Chris Davies has kept Cole on as part of his staff, which also includes Ben Petty, Nathan Gardiner and goalkeeping supremo Maik Taylor.