Italy made me a manager when England ‘discouraged’ me – Cole Former England international Ashley Cole has spoken openly about the challenges he faced in pursuing a managerial career in English football, revealing he felt “discouraged” by clubs who questioned his lack of head coach experience despite his extensive background in the game. The 45-year-old former Arsenal and Chelsea left-back has now taken his first senior head coaching role at Serie B side Cesena in Italy, marking a significant step in his transition from player to manager. Cole’s journey into coaching began after retiring as a player, with badge completion at Derby County under Frank Lampard, followed by roles in Chelsea’s academy and assistant positions at Everton, Birmingham City under Wayne Rooney, and within the England national team setup under Lee Carsley. This path gave him nearly seven years of coaching experience before his appointment at Cesena. Despite this background, Cole said he encountered resistance in England when seeking head coach opportunities. “I was getting kind of discouraged by a lack of opportunities, from some clubs in England I spoke to,” he told BBC Sport. “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?” He described the situation as a catch-22 for aspiring coaches: “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.” Cole noted that opportunities in Italy presented a more open path, particularly highlighting the rarity of black English coaches working in the Italian football system. “I don’t think there are too many black English coaches working in Italy, so yes, it is a massive leap of faith from them and I’m very proud to be here.” His appointment at Cesena came in March 2026, with the club competing in Italy’s second tier. Cole has been conducting training sessions in a mix of English and Italian, focusing on implementing his vision for the team. “It is a great place to be and to start. I’m glad I’m back. We’re going to do something different – a bit special.” The move represents not only a personal milestone for Cole but also a broader statement about pathways for former players seeking to enter management, especially those who may face systemic barriers in their home countries. By taking charge at Cesena, Cole is aiming to prove his capabilities on the bench while contributing to greater diversity in football coaching across Europe.
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