Ashley Cole insists he has not been put off being a manager by his tough experience at Everton

Ashley Cole insisted that his experiences of coaching at Everton have not deterred him from pursuing management as two of his old clubs meet on Saturday.

The Chelsea legend worked alongside Frank Lampard for just under a year before the Toffees wielded the axe in January.

Cole – who assists Lee Carsley with England’s Under 21s – believes he is stronger for the experience and suggested Lampard had a tough job with the Everton hierarchy.

‘I learnt a lot that I probably can’t mention to you, to be honest,’ Cole said. ‘But I think it’s put me in good stead. It’s certainly not put me off.

‘It’s certainly made me very aware of how tough the job is and how tough managers have it, in terms of the Premier League.

 Chelsea legend Ashley Cole insists he has not been put off being a manager

Cole worked alongside Frank Lampard for just under a year at Everton before they were axed

‘Frank would have had a lot of challenges that us, as coaches, weren’t aware of and stuff that was above us. How he has to manage up and manage the staff around him, of course it’s going to be difficult.

‘Maybe it was a transitional period for the club, (so) it was always going to be hard. It’s a humungous club. We wanted to do better for the club, but was it just that we were there are the wrong time?’ 

Cole will be on the touchline as England face Croatia and France in friendlies ahead of the summer’s European Championship. Manchester City full back Rico Lewis was handed a first call-up.

‘I’m still not convinced that he’s a right-back,’ Carsley said. ‘He can play in various positions and we see him being able to potentially play midfield as well.

‘What’s probably surprised us is how quick his progress has been in such a tough squad to get into at Man City.

‘It just goes to show the level that he’s playing and training at – probably more importantly as well, having the mentality to deal with that.’ Ends