After years of learning from top managers and working as an assistant, a former Chelsea player finally gets his big chance.
Ashley Cole has been one of the most important British players in the 21st century. He has had a great career, playing for some of the most important British teams, such as Chelsea and Arsenal. Cole also played for other important teams like Crystal Palace and Derby in England, and also had several experiences abroad, including in Italy in Rome and in the US with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The most important teams in his career were Arsenal and Chelsea. For Arsenal, Ashley played a total of 228 matches with 9 goals scored and 24 assists given. Instead, for Chelsea, Cole played a total of 337 matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 34 assists. During his career, the British left-back also won several important titles, including 3 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League title, and other cups such as the FA Cup, the League Cup, and the Europa League.
Ashley was important not only for his clubs but also for the national team. For many years, Ashley Cole was one of the most important players for the England national team. He played a total of 197 matches for England.
During his career, Cole had the chance to work under great coaches such as Carlo Ancelotti, Mourinho, and Capello. After his playing career, Cole began his journey as a football coach and may reach the levels he achieved as a player.
The former left-back started coaching youth teams at his former club, Chelsea. After Chelsea, he began a new adventure with the England U21 national team, serving as Lee Carsley's assistant manager for many years at different times. Cole worked closely with Frank Lampard as his assistant manager at both Everton and Chelsea. Another experience in the dogout for Ashley was at Birmingham, where he was the assistant manager.
Recently, Cole served as assistant manager at Carsley for the England U21 national team, a role he has held since January 2025. But now, after many years of working as the assistant coach and preparing himself for the big opportunity, Cole had the chance to try his first experience in a club in the role of the first team manager.
A historical club in Cesena, Italy, offered him the chance to become their first-team manager until the end of the season, with the possibility of renewal if certain conditions are met. According to the official website of the club, Cesena.com, Ashley Cole's technical staff will comprise Giorgio D’Urbano as the athletic trainer, Paolo Stringara and Nicola Capellini as technical staff members, and Federico Agliardi as the goalkeeper coach.