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 Watch Man City news conference as Guardiola cancels training before Real Madrid Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? 'We have to wake up' - Szoboszlai warning sums up Liverpool plight 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 Another compelling Players - but why is it unlikely to ever be a major? Six talking points from final round of Six Nations Norrie replaces Draper as British number one - but for how long? More than the Score. Audio More than the Score Spurs answer Tudor's call with show of fight in the face of crisis 'Best racing ever' or 'a joke'? The row over the new F1 Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion. Video Aberg & Fitzpatrick falter as Young becomes Players champion Have Old Firm wrestled title momentum away from Hearts? Fernandes is a joy to watch - Rooney. Video Fernandes is a joy to watch - Rooney A finale worthy of the greatest Six Nations in history Why GB are 'positive' despite just one medal at Winter Paralympics What next for Dowman - how do you look after a precious talent? Should the Winter Paralympics be moved? 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? Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.