Former Birmingham City coach Ashley Cole is expected to leave Italian Serie B side Cesena after just eight games in charge. The 45-year-old former England international was appointed manager in March with the aim of reaching the play-offs, but a poor run of form saw the team finish 11th.
Cole's brief tenure at Cesena
Cole took over from Michele Mignani when Cesena were in eighth place in Serie B. However, under his leadership, the team managed only one victory in eight matches, slipping to 11th by the end of the season. Reports now indicate that Cole is seeking his next coaching opportunity.
Cesena have recently appointed Andrea Mancini, son of former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini, as their new sporting director, which may have influenced Cole's departure.
Coaching journey before Cesena
Prior to moving to Italy, Cole gained coaching experience at Derby County, Chelsea, and Everton. He joined Wayne Rooney's coaching staff at Birmingham City in October 2023, surviving a coaching cull during the 2023/24 season. He stayed on under Chris Davies for a few months before focusing on his role with the England setup.
Cole served as long-term assistant to England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley and briefly oversaw the senior team alongside Carsley before Thomas Tuchel succeeded Gareth Southgate.
