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Published 27 August 2026 4 min read
Men's U21

Ashley Cole: U21 winners part of England's history

Written by:

Nicholas Veevers

Young Lions’ outgoing assistant coach reflects on England’s UEFA U21 EURO title in 2025 in new ‘Back to Back’ film

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Ashley Cole believes England men’s under-21s’ double EURO success in recent years can serve as a marker for the next generation of Young Lions.

The former Three Lions defender, who this week announced he was leaving his role as assistant coach to head coach Lee Carsley, having helped England to UEFA U21 EURO titles in 2023 and 2025, features throughout our latest England Original film – ‘Back to Back’.

And during the documentary, which is now available to watch in full on the England app, Cole talks in detail and depth about their last EURO title in 2025 as well as his relationship with Carsley.
Cole speaks about his relationship with Lee Carsley in the latest England Original film – ‘Back to Back’.
Cole speaks about his relationship with Lee Carsley in the latest England Original film – ‘Back to Back’.
"He's very calm and quiet, and methodical in the way he thinks,” revealed the ex Arsenal, Chelsea and Roma left-back.

"Before a game, he likes to get dressed straight away, put his boots on and then we go onto the pitch and we have conversations.

"It could be feelings, emotions and sometimes we have fun and we don't even talk about football and we talk about life. It was a bit of a ritual.”

Carsley and Cole were also dealt the added complication that they only had one camp with the squad before their trip to Slovakia, having spent the autumn international windows of 2024 in interim charge of the senior squad.

"We had to really switch our mindset and go from focusing on the seniors to now being back with the under-21s, and we have to go and compete in a tournament where there's other countries which are very, very good and there's not that much time,” he added.

"This England team had a target on its back - we are the champions and you need to know that the pressure is on.

"This is an opportunity to show your best foot and come together put your step on the tournament and European football.”
Cole pictured with the MU21s coaching staff after winning back-to-back UEFA U21 EURO titles
Cole pictured with the MU21s coaching staff after winning back-to-back UEFA U21 EURO titles

The tournament saw England go on to successfully defend their title, with an extra-time victory over Germany in the Final.

And having helped orchestrate both this victory and the one in Georgia in 2023, Cole has now laid down the challenge for the current crop of MU21s, who are aiming to seal their place at the 2027 edition in Albania and Serbia next summer.

"It’s simple - they're part of history now,” he said about the squad of 2025.

“They've put a marker down for the next group that's going to come, and try to compete at the next tournament.”

Watch the full film now in the England app, with England+ members having exclusive access until Wednesday 9 September.

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