Former Chelsea and Arsenal star Ashley Cole set for major England role alongside Lee Carsley

Ashley Cole is set to be part of England’s temporary management team if, as expected, Lee Carsley is appointed interim boss, talkSPORT understands.

As exclusively revealed by talkSPORT last week, Carsley is likely to be in charge of England’s opening Nations League games in September.

The FA is conducting a thorough process to find Gareth Southgate’s successor after he announced his departure following the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain.

Former Birmingham City and Everton midfielder and England Under-21s manager Carsley has put himself forward to replace Southgate permanently.

He could be joined by Three Lions legend Cole, who is widely regarded as England’s greatest left-back of all time.

Cole has helped Carsley with the under-21s and is held in high regard by senior FA officials.

After a glittering career that saw him win three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups and the Champions League, he became manager of Derby after retiring.

The 43-year-old returned to his former club Chelsea in 2019 to become a youth coach and later took on the role of assistant manager for the England Under-21s in addition to his duties at the Blues.

Cole then reunited with former teammate Frank Lampard as part of his coaching staff at Everton, with the pair set to leave in 2023.

He then became Birmingham City’s first-team coach during Wayne Rooney’s tenure from October 2023 to January.

The former defender has made 107 appearances for England, the sixth-most appearances for the Three Lions, so has plenty of experience at the highest level.

England return to action on September 7 to face Ireland in the Nations League before a match against Finland three days later.

Carsley, who won the Under-21 Euros last year, looks set to take charge of the two games ahead of a possible permanent appointment.

He is among the homegrown candidates for a place in the England squad, alongside Graham Potter and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe.

talkSPORT understands Howe would consider an offer from the FA to take the role despite having a long-term contract with the Magpies.

The FA have not ruled out appointing a foreign manager, with former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino a potential option.

talkSPORT understands they are also admirers of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, with technical director John McDermott following the Australian’s career closely.

Wolves boss Gary O’Neil is also believed to have admirers in the FA as they work towards his next appointment.