Ashley Cole won 107 caps for England, seventh on the all‑time list, but felt "discouraged" within the football pyramid from breaking out as a head coach. Now in his first senior head coach role at Italian second‑division side Cesena, Cole has taken the first exciting opportunity offered to him, having previously assisted other managers while building his coaching education. After completing his badges at Derby County under Frank Lampard, Cole went on to work in Chelsea's academy before further spells assisting managers at Everton, Birmingham City under Wayne Rooney, and within the England national team set‑up under Lee Carsley.
He has built up nearly seven years of coaching experience. However, a lack of head coach opportunities in England has led him back to Italy - where he played towards the end of his career with Roma - to take the reins at Cesena. "I was getting kind of discouraged by a lack of opportunities, from some clubs in England I spoke to," Cole 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? "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.
"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. "It is a great place to be and to start. We're going to do something different - a bit special." Euro Leagues: UCL Semis set & Ashley Cole on coaching Cole appointed manager of Serie B side Cesena Arriving at his training session, Cole was all business, talking mostly in English while throwing in Italian phrases.
One local staff member was impressed by his willingness to tidy up the equipment, which he said was uncommon for a player who had enjoyed such a successful playing career. To Cole, a former schoolboy from east London, that behaviour is normal. Even his new title - 'Mister', bestowed on all managers in Italy - is something he is still getting used to.
"I don't see myself above anyone at this club," he said. "Of course I have to be the leader of the group, but I'll pick up a cone." Cole had some awareness of what he was arriving into in Emilia‑Romagna - nicknamed Italy's 'food valley' and famous for parmigiano reggiano, balsamic vinegar from Modena and prosciutto di parma - with his wife Sharon Canu an important sounding board. "I certainly didn't go looking for an Italian wife [when he joined Roma in 2014], but I came back with one," he joked.
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