Ashley Cole announces departure as manager of Italian club after just three months

Jun 30, 2026 - 20:15

Ashley Cole has stepped down as Cesena manager after only three months in the job.

The former Arsenal, Chelsea and England star took charge of the Italian Serie B club in March on a deal until the end of the 2025/26 season, marking his first foray into management.

Cesena manager Ashley Cole sits in the dugout, his hand resting on his chin. — Cole won just one of his eight games in charge of Cesena

Cole’s short Italian job

And his tenure has officially come to an end, with the three-time Premier League-winning right-back announcing his departure on Tuesday.

In a statement, Cole said on Tuesday: “As my tenure at Cesena FC concludes today, I want to thank the players and staff for their hard work and commitment over the last few months.

“I was proud to bring my experience to such a passionate club, and I’ve truly enjoyed working with the squad to introduce a new identity and prepare for the season ahead.

“Following recent discussions with the sporting director regarding a change in the club’s strategy, I have decided that it is best for me to move on.

“I leave with great respect for all the people there, as well as the fans, and look forward to my next challenge.”

Cole succeeded Michele Mignani in the dugout and guided Cesena to 11th in the Italian second tier last term.

He’s now had spells in Italy as both a player and manager, having made 16 appearances for Roma during the 2014/15 season.

The 45-year-old’s stint at Cesena came after a number of other coaching roles since he retired from playing in 2019.

Having finished his career with Derby County, Cole linked up with former club and international teammate Frank Lampard as an academy coach at Chelsea.

He went on to serve as assistant to England U21 boss Lee Carsley, before working with Lampard once more as a first-team coach at Everton.

Cole later worked as part of Wayne Rooney‘s coaching staff at Birmingham City before joining Carsley again, this time during his interim spell managing the England senior team.

England coaches Lee Carsley and Ashley Cole, wearing blue tracksuits, with their legs folded, sit on grey dugout seats. — Cole worked alongside Lee Carsley with the England U21 and senior teams

The 107-cap Three Lions international, who featured at five major tournaments, took on a permanent coaching role with the FA in September 2024.

‘A leap of faith’

After being appointed by Cesena, Cole expressed his frustration at the lack of managerial opportunities in England.

“I was getting kind of discouraged by a lack of opportunities, from some clubs in England I spoke to,” he told the BBC in April.

“They like to throw the ‘you don’t have experience’ line. And I’m like, ‘I get what you’re saying, I agree – but how am I going to get experience?’.

“That’s the battle you have to fight as a number two for six or seven years – you have to take a leap of faith, but a club also has to take a leap of faith.”

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