Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole 'super excited' to take first managerial job with Serie B side Cesena
Updated 16/03/2026 at 08:41 GMT
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Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal defender Ashley Cole has taken the plunge into management after being appointed as head coach by Serie B side Cesena. The former full-back revealed his excitement upon takin the job, which follows his work as a coach at several English clubs after his retirement as a player in 2019. Cole joins with Cesena eighth in Serie B following the dismissal of Michele Mignani.
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Former Arsenal and Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole has joined Italian second-tier side Cesena in his first managerial job.
Cole has signed a short-term deal until June with the option of an extension "upon the fulfilment of certain conditions".
The 45-year-old retired as a player in 2019 and has since had coaching roles with Derby County, Everton, Birmingham City and England, working alongside the likes of Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney.
In an announcement video on Instagram, Cole said: "I am super excited and so enthusiastic to be here.
"I've been welcomed to this beautiful stadium, there's so much history.
"I can't wait to see you [the fans] on Tuesday in the stadium, and then, of course, on Saturday here in the stadium.
"Forza Cesena!"
Meanwhile, the club released a statement to confirm Cole's appointment, which 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, who earned 107 caps for England, will hope his managerial career lives up to his illustrious playing career.
He won three Premier League titles and seven FA Cups with Arsenal and Chelsea, as well as a UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League while at Stamford Bridge.
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Cole has previous experience of playing in Italy having joined Serie A side Roma from Chelsea in 2014.
He played 16 times for I Giallorossi before moving to Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy in 2016, and ended his career with Championship outfit Derby.
Former Chelsea academy coach Jack Mesure will be Cole's assistant at Cesena, who sit eighth in Serie B with eight games of the season remaining after sacking former head coach Michele Mignani on Saturday.
In Serie B, the top two sides are promoted automatically to the top flight, while teams in third to eighth place participate in the promotion play-offs.
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