Ashley Cole, the former defender for the England national team, has been named the head coach of Cesena FC, a club competing in Serie B.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano reported this development on his X account. The 44-year-old is stepping into his first senior managerial position after spending several years in coaching roles.
Romano confirmed:
Ashley Cole has signed in as new Cesena manager in Italian second division Serie B.
Softfootball reports that Cole transitioned into coaching in 2019 after retiring from professional play. He began at Chelsea FC’s academy and also gained experience with Everton FC.
In contrast, Chelsea, Cole’s former team, experienced a 1–0 defeat at home against Newcastle United on March 15, 2026. Anthony Gordon scored the only goal following an assist from Joe Willock.
This loss led to significant reactions on social media, with many supporters expressing their frustrations toward Clearlake ownership after the unexpected defeat at Stamford Bridge.
Cesenna confirmed Cole’s appointment through an official statement, indicating that he has signed a contract until June 30, 2026, with an option to extend. Currently, the club sits eighth in Serie B, maintaining a spot in the promotion playoff race.
During his distinguished playing career, Cole was regarded as one of the top left-backs of his era, winning three Premier League titles with Arsenal FC and Chelsea, as well as the UEFA Champions League. He amassed 107 caps for the England national team and had a stint in Italy with AS Roma from 2014 to 2016.
