The ex-defender is being targeted by a string of Championship clubs for a top job.
Per The Mirror, the 43-year-old impressed as part of Lee Carsley's England Under-21 setup at the European Championships last summer.
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Having worked with the likes of Nottingham Forest 's Morgan Gibbs White, Newcastle 's Anthony Gordon and Chelsea's Cole Palmer, Cole's coaching reputation has grown.
Now he may get a chance to follow in the footsteps of many of his old teammates.
The likes of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, and Wayne Rooney have all dipped into management.