Ashley Cole has been appointed as the head coach of the Serie B side Cesena. It is a first management role for the former Arsenal, Chelsea and England full-back, who has been developing as a coach since retiring from playing in 2019.
Cole’s positions have included working with Frank Lampard at Derby, Chelsea and Everton, with Wayne Rooney at Birmingham, and with England and the Football Association.
Now the 45-year-old has made an unexpected move to Italy’s second tier, taking over at Cesena, who are eighth in the table and sacked Michele Mignani on Saturday.
Cole has signed a short-term deal until the end of June but with the option to extend “upon the fulfilment of certain conditions”.
A statement on the Cesena website read: “The entire Cesena FC family is thrilled to welcome manager Ashley Cole to lead the Bianconeri first team and extends a warm welcome to him and his staff in Cesena, wishing them all the best of luck in this new adventure.”
Cole will be assisted by the former Chelsea academy coach Jack Mesure.
