Ashley Cole: Former England defender appointed manager of Serie B side Cesena

Former Arsenal and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has been appointed manager of Serie B side Cesena until the end of the season.

The 45-year-old, who made 107 appearances for England, retired in 2019 after a spell with Derby before moving into coaching.

Cole has been on the coaching staff at Derby, Everton, Birmingham and England, but this will be his first role as a manager.

“The entire Cesena FC family is delighted to welcome manager Ashley Cole to lead the Bianconeri first team and warmly welcomes him and his staff to Cesena and wishes them all the best in this new adventure,” the club said.

Cole enjoyed a hugely successful career on the pitch, winning 13 domestic trophies, including three Premier League titles, seven FA Cups, the League Cup and both the Champions League and Europa League.

He left Chelsea to join Roma in 2014 and made 16 appearances for the Serie A club.

Cesena are eighth in Italy’s second tier after failing to win any of their last seven games, losing four and drawing three.