Ashley Cole Starts Coaching Career at Cesena FC in Italy

Ashley Cole, the former England national football team player, has begun his first senior head coach role at Cesena FC in Italy. Cole, who earned 107 caps for England, expressed his frustration regarding the lack of coaching opportunities in England, which he found discouraging despite his years of coaching experience.

He noted that he had been repeatedly rejected for roles, even after working alongside notable figures such as Frank Lampard at Derby County and Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City FC. Cole acknowledged that it was a significant leap of faith to move to Italy, as he felt that black English coaches do not often get opportunities in the country.

He expressed pride in this new chapter and believes Cesena is an ideal place to start his coaching journey, marking a return to Italy where he played late in his career with Roma.