Ashley Cole has taken up his first managerial job with Serie B side Cesena FC until the end of the season.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea defender, 45, has been a coach at various levels since retiring from football in 2019, most recently with the Football Association as a full-time national coach.
Cole has also served as Frank Lampard’s assistant at Everton and Chelsea, and held the same role at Birmingham City when Wayne Rooney was in charge.
The 107-cap England international then worked with the U21 national team and assisted Lee Carsley for the senior squad.
The venture to Italy, however, is Cole’s first foray as a manager in his own right.
He will be joined by Chelsea’s academy coach Jack Mesure on a contract until June 30, which will be extended if he meets ‘certain conditions’.
Cesena, who sacked Michele Mignani on Saturday, are currently eighth in the Italian second division and have a chance at qualifying for the Serie A play-offs.
‘The entire Cesena FC family is thrilled to welcome manager Ashley 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,’ a club statement read.
Cole’s new side travel to 15th-placed Mantova on Tuesday evening, but it has not yet been confirmed if he will be in the dugout for the tie.
As a player, Cole made more than 700 appearances before retiring with Derby County in 2019.
He won the Champions League with Chelsea, as well as a Premier League title and four FA Cups during his time at Stamford Bridge. He also won the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield with the Blues.
The defender moved to Chelsea after breaking through at Arsenal, where he had collected two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two Community Shields.
He has played on Italian soil before, too, having joined Serie A giants AS Roma from Chelsea in 2014, spending two years in Rome before joining LA Galaxy and finishing his career at Derby.
He has played on Italian soil before, too, having joined Serie A giants AS Roma from Chelsea in 2014, spending two years in Rome before joining LA Galaxy and finishing his career at Derby.
Cole was married to Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy during his playing career. The couple divorced in 2010 after four years of marriage.
