Conor Coady lands Ashley Cole’s old job days after Wrexham contract ripped up

Conor Coady has landed a job with England’s Under-21 side just days after leaving Wrexham.

The defender had his contract terminated by mutual consent on Monday after a year with the Championship club.

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He has since been working with Liverpool’s Under 21s, but has now secured a role within the national team.

Coady lands England role

Coady has been named as one of Lee Carsley’s assistant managers alongside Paul Williams.

The 33-year-old joins the set-up ahead of their upcoming Under-21 Euro qualifiers.

It follows the departure of Ashley Cole after five years working under Carsley.

Cole confirmed his exit from the role last week, having also left his position as Cesena manager back in June.

Coady will now assist Carsley for the Young Lions’ final three qualifiers in September and October.

Reacting to the appointments, the Under-21s boss said: “I’m excited to work with Conor and Paul.

“They will bring fresh energy to our group, and be an invaluable support for the players who are at such an important part of their career.”

England are currently back-to-back defending champions after their victories at the 2023 and 2025 Under-21 Euros.

Coady also has experience of glory at youth international level with the Under-17s.

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He captained the side to a Euros triumph back in 2010 before going on to score once in 10 caps at senior level.

The centre-back was also part of the Three Lions squads for both Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup.

However, he is now without a club following his departure from Wrexham.

Coady made just six appearances for the Red Dragons after signing last summer.

He was later loaned to Charlton in January for the remainder of the season.

Fellow Championship side Swansea have previously been credited with an interest in Coady.

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England U21s’ qualifying campaign

As for England’s Under-21s, they are aiming to secure qualification for next summer’s finals in Albania and Serbia.

They host Kazakhstan at Molineux on September 25 before facing Slovakia in Stoke a week later.

Carsley’s side will then conclude their campaign away to the Republic of Ireland in Cork on October 6.

Ahead of those matches, England sit three points clear of Slovakia at the top of group D after six wins and one draw from seven outings.

Group winners qualify automatically for the tournament as well as the best second place side, with the remaining runners-up entering the play-offs.

England could secure qualification as early as their meeting with Slovakia on October 2.