Ashley Cole's rebirth: from Chelsea's U15 team to the England national team.

Ashley Cole chose to climb back up the football ladder from the lowest rung. The legend, with 107 caps for England and FA Cup record holder, started with Chelsea's U15 team, gradually progressing through assistant roles and rising through the ranks alongside Lee Carsley. His coaching philosophy: Authenticity, Passion, and Motivation.

Starting from scratch: from Chelsea U15

Cole recounts that after retiring, he "returned to the lowest rung of his football career." Six years ago, the former world-class left-back personally arranged the jerseys for Chelsea's U15 players before each match. He admitted, "This job isn't for everyone."

In the academy environment, the reputation of a star who had once faced Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi was no longer a guarantee of entry. Cole had to learn to speak the language of the new generation: the kids recognized him by his Icon card in the FIFA game. From there, he found his way into the world of young players.

A turning point with Lee Carsley: from U21 to England national team

In 2021, after failing to secure the U21 head coach position, Cole was introduced to Lee Carsley. FA technical director John McDermott messaged him suggesting Carsley might take him on as an assistant. A two-hour conversation shaped the partnership that led to England's U21 team winning two consecutive European Championships.

Carsley pulled Cole out of his comfort zone. “I once said, ‘I don’t want to chair the team meeting.’ Lee replied, ‘No, you will.’ Then he said, ‘You do it yourself, you’ve been here long enough.’”

During Carsley's interim period with England, Cole worked directly with big names like Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, and John Stones. "Everything I said in the tactical meeting, I saw them implement on the pitch. When that happened, my confidence increased exponentially."

Cleansing away the aura, forging identity

“I don’t want the players to think, ‘That’s Ashley Cole, just listen to him.’ Listen to what I say and believe it. I want to be recognized as a coach and a leader.”

With the new generation of players, Cole chose a different leadership style: “I won’t yell like I used to, because life has changed. Modern players are more sensitive to thoughts and feelings. If that helps them play better, then share it.”

At the national team level, the objective is clearly defined: “We want England to be the dominant team. We have to define our own way of winning.”

Influence from Wenger, Mourinho, and Ancelotti

Cole's coaching philosophy was shaped by three great mentors. Regarding Arsene Wenger, he said: "The Professor let the game teach the players. I was never yelled at if I lost the ball. That's what made me who I am."

Jose Mourinho represents iron discipline and the highest standards, while Carlo Ancelotti embodies the art of winning hearts and minds: genuinely caring about personal lives to gain the trust of his players.

Turning the past into a lesson: Ronaldo and wing situations

Cole leveraged his top-level experience to teach tactics. When the U21s recalled his encounters with Cristiano Ronaldo, he turned the memory into a lesson: force outfield attackers to move to the flanks, and use team structure for cover. He reminded young midfielder Elliot Anderson to provide support in the same way Frank Lampard used to.

Dialogue with the media and personal growth.

Cole was once the focus of attention because of off-field controversies. Looking back, he said: “I’m not saying what I did back then was right. Sometimes I acted like an idiot, but I was just a kid then. We use those mistakes to teach our children.”

He compared the print media era to the social media age: back then, players had to grit their teeth and endure it, but now they face phones and podcasts everywhere. However, Cole chose to understand rather than confront.

Impact and the road ahead

The FA tasked the U21 coaching staff with preparing for English football: changing mindsets, getting ready for the senior team. Cole succinctly stated: "Ashley Cole as a player is done. Now it's Ashley Cole's turn as a coach."

After six years of accumulating experience, the Outstanding Contribution to London Football award recognizes his journey of shedding his former glory to forge a new identity. From the U15 dressing room to the national team's technical cabin, Cole confidently embodies the philosophy of Authenticity, Passion, and Motivation.

Key milestones