The Football Association have confirmed that Ashley Cole is to work full-time as a national coach.
Cole, winner of over a century of caps as an England player, had been working for the FA alongside his role at Birmingham City and was part of Lee Carsley's backroom staff as the men's U21s won the 2023 European Championship.
Although his future work is stated to be 'across the England men's player pathway', Cole is currently working alongside Carsley again as the interim senior manager navigates this autumn's Nations League campaign.
His decision to join the FA on a full-time basis is sure to add to thoughts that Carsley's appointment to the top job on a permanent basis is the most likely outcome of the search for Gareth Southgate's successor.