Ashley Cole Reunites With Lee Carsley In England Under-21 Coaching Team

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Ashley Cole will reunite with interim England head coach Lee Carsley for the Three Lions' upcoming Nations League fixtures next month. The pair led England to success at the European Under-21 Championships in 2023, with Curtis Jones scoring in the final against Spain to secure their third title in the competition.

Lee Carsley will be assisted by England legend @TheRealAC3 during his interim spell in charge of the #ThreeLions

England (@England) August 23, 2024

Joleon Lescott will also join Carsley's temporary backroom staff alongside the FA's head of coaching Tim Dittmer, who also worked with Carsley last year. With Cole and Lescott stepping up, some pivotal figures in England's recent successes have left their positions with the Three Lions.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who reunited with former Middlesbrough team-mate Southgate in 2023, leaves after 17 months with England. Goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson also departs after eight years, having worked closely with Jordan Pickford for much of his time with the Three Lions.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink moves on as #ThreeLions coach after 17 months working with the national team in the run-up to and during #EURO2024. Thank you for your valuable service, @jf9hasselbaink!

England (@England) August 23, 2024

At the tournament in Romania and Georgia, the Three Lions won all six of their fixtures, scoring 11 goals and overperforming their expected goals (xG) figures by 2.5. Averaging a 56.4% possession share, Carsley's side scored the most build-up goals (seven) in the competition, with France a distant second with three.

The Young Lions also remained resolute at the back, not conceding a single goal from the 79 shots they faced. These impressive statistics highlight both their attacking prowess and defensive solidity under Carsley's guidance.

Carsley's Upcoming Challenges

Carsley takes England on the road for his first fixture against the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League before returning to Wembley to face Finland. With the Premier League season now underway, Carsley will have the opportunity to assess his options before picking his squad for his first two fixtures at the helm.

Of the players to earn 10 or more caps during his time in charge of the under-21s, only Anthony Gordon (14) and Cole Palmer (13) were selected by Gareth Southgate for Euro 2024. Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis (21), Chelsea's Noni Madueke (19), and Liverpool's Harvey Elliot (18) top that list and could potentially eye a place in next month's squad.

The transition period sees new faces joining while some experienced members depart. This blend of continuity and fresh perspectives aims to maintain England's competitive edge as they prepare for upcoming challenges.