Cole appointed manager of Serie B side Cesena

Ashley Cole is England's seventh most-capped player Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been appointed manager of Serie B side Cesena until the end of the season. The 45-year-old, who made 107 appearances for England, retired from playing in 2019 after a spell with Derby before moving into coaching. Cole has been on the coaching staff at Derby, Everton, Birmingham and England, but this will be his first role as a manager. "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," said the club. Cole enjoyed a hugely successful career on the pitch, winning 13 domestic trophies, including three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, the League Cup and both the Champions League and Europa League. He left Chelsea to join Roma in 2014 and featured 16 times for the Serie A club. Cesena are eighth in Italy's second tier after failing to win any of their last seven games, losing four and drawing three. Follow your club with BBC Sport Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Premier League: Reaction as Richarlison earns Spurs vital point at Liverpool 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Rooney calls for Carrick to get permanent Man Utd job Oscar-nominated Frankenstein and more movies that made Guillermo del Toro Celebrated actor Jessie Buckley picks her Desert Island Discs A new spin on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice Behind the making of one of Hollywood's most quotable films 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? How Sancho's dream Man Utd move became a nightmare Gordon hits back at 'complete nonsense' from Rooney and Shearer Brentford, the World Cup and an itch to return to Gaelic football They were told it wasn't for girls, but these could be the future faces of F1 Jason Tindall - the most misunderstood man in football? Why London Spirit spent £390,000 on uncapped Sussex all-rounder Coles Meet ParalympicsGB's 26th team member Winter Paralympics daily guide: 10 golds to be decided on final day Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.