Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole in the frame to be England Under 21 boss

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has emerged as a surprise contender to be the next England Under 21 boss, according to The Sun

Sportsmail revealed Aidy Boothroyd’s contract will not be automatically renewed – but he can reapply for the position despite his side’s embarrassing exit from the European Championship.

Cole, 39, has UEFA A licence and is keen to make a move into management. 

Joe Cole (left) works as a pundit for BT Sport but wants to make a move into management

Since retiring as a player, Cole has worked as a coach in the academy at Chelsea

Since retiring as a player, Cole has worked worked as a pundit for BT Sport and also as a coach in the academy at Chelsea. 

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Despite being one of the tournament favourites, England crashed out in the group stages for the second straight Euros under Boothroyd, whose contract expires in July.

The 50-year-old has indicated he would like to stay in the job, insisting that the pathway of players stepping up to the senior team is working.

Aidy Boothroyd’s contract as England Under 21 manager will not be automatically renewed 

The 50-year-old oversaw England U21’s embarrassing exit from the European Championship

The FA, who will task technical director John McDermott with the appointment, will apply the Rooney Rule, requiring them to interview ethnic minority candidates.

Justin Cochrane, head coach of the Under 17s, will be a strong contender if he applies, and Under 19s boss Ian Foster is also emerging as a candidate. Sportsmail revealed this week that Frank Lampard, Steve Cooper, Mark Warburton and Paul Simpson are contenders.

But with the pandemic creating a £300million black hole in the FA’s finances, there is some doubt about making an expensive external appointment. 

Boothroyd must reapply for the role, with Frank Lampard (right) and Steve Cooper (left) being considered