Official: Ashley Cole appointed as new Cesena coach | OneFootball

Former Roma defender Ashley Cole has officially been appointed as the new coach of Serie B side Cesena, his first major management role.

It had been reported last night that Cole was already on Italian soil to discuss the deal with the club owners, and today he made it official.

His contract runs to June 30, with an option to renew if certain conditions are met.

Cesena sacked Michele Mignani after two seasons in the job following a 2-2 draw with Frosinone, which left them in eighth place in Italy’s second division.

Cole has new Calcio adventure

DERBY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Ashley Cole, Assistant Head Coach of England, and Lee Carsley, Head Coach of England, looks on prior to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England and Andorra at Pride Park on October 13, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

The 45-year-old had some experience in Italian football as a player for Roma from 2014 to 2016, when he went on to the LA Galaxy and ended his playing career at Derby in 2019.

Before that, Cole had made his mark as a full-back for Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Chelsea.

Cole has worked at the Chelsea youth academy, plus as an assistant manager to the likes of Lee Carsley, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney and more.

DERBY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Ashley Cole, Assistant Head Coach of England U21’s, looks on prior to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England and Andorra at Pride Park on October 13, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Above all, he worked with Carsley, and is currently the assistant to the England Under-21 team coach.

His staff at Cesena consists of assistant Jack Mesure, fitness coach Giorgio D’Urbano, Paolo Stringara, Nicola Capellini and goalkeeping coach Federico Agliardi.