Sol Campbell gets coaching role after taking offer to join England Under-21 staff for November friendlies

Campbell will join up with Boothroyd for November friendlies against Germany and Italy.
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Simon Johnson2 October 2018

Sol Campbell has been invited by the Football Association to help coach the England Under-21s by manager Aidy Boothroyd.

The former Arsenal defender will join the set-up for the team’s friendlies against Germany and Italy next month.

Campbell confirmed: “I’ve been asked to go and work with Aidy for the friendlies and I’ve accepted that.

“For me, what’s happening there is great. We’ll look and see what happens, but it’s great to be involved.”

At this stage, it is unlikely that Campbell will be employed full-time by the FA.

Standard Sport understands that Campbell’s offer is part of an initiative from the governing body to give more BAME coaches experience of working with various age groups within the international set-up.

Campbell has been frustrated in his attempts to become a manager since ending his playing career in 2012.

The England centre back was employed as an assistant to Dennis Lawrence with Trinidad and Tobago last year, but was rejected by Oxford United when he applied to become head coach in February.

Campbell won six major trophies during his career, including two Premier League titles with Arsenal in 2002 and 2004.

He also earned 77 caps with the national side, where he was named in the team of the tournament at World Cup 2002 and Euro 2004.

Speaking earlier this year about his lack of opportunity to work in the game, he said: “I’m one of the greatest minds in football and I’m being wasted because of a lack of experience or ‘maybe he talks his mind too much’.”

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