Ashley Cole resigns as Cesena manager after eight Serie B matches
Former England and Premier League star Ashley Cole resigned as head coach of Italian Serie B side Cesena in July 2026 after just eight matches, with only one win. Appointed in March 2026 to secure a promotion playoff spot, the team fell from 8th to 11th. His appointment faced internal disagreement and fan skepticism. Cesena swiftly replaced him with former Italian international Alessandro Diamanti, who signed a four-year contract.
Editorial summary awaiting refresh
Cross-source coverage
Wire timeline
Ashley Cole Announces Departure from Cesena
On July 1, 2026, former Premier League star Ashley Cole announced his departure from Italian Serie B side Cesena after only eight matches as manager. Cole joined the club in March 2026, hoping to revive the team, which finished the season in 11th place. In a statement on Instagram, Cole thanked the players and staff for their hard work and dedication, expressing that he enjoyed working with the team to establish a new identity and prepare for the upcoming season. He revealed that recent discussions with the sporting director about a change in the club's strategy led to his decision to leave. Cesena, a passionate club in Serie B, now faces a managerial change ahead of the new campaign.
Foot Mercato : Info Transferts Football - Actu Foot TransfertAlessandro Diamanti Appointed Head Coach of Serie B Club Cesena
On July 2, 2024, Italian Serie B club Cesena officially announced the appointment of 43-year-old former Italian international Alessandro Diamanti as the new head coach of the first team. Diamanti signed a contract valid until June 30, 2028. The club highlighted his playing career at Guangzhou Evergrande in China and Melbourne City in Australia, and noted that after retiring, he pursued coaching, managing Melbourne City's U23 team for two seasons and obtaining a UEFA Pro coaching license from Coverciano. Cesena expressed a warm welcome and wished him success in his new role.
虎扑 - 足球Cesena Appoints Alessandro Diamanti as Head Coach, Replacing Ashley Cole
Italian Serie B club Cesena has parted ways with head coach Ashley Cole after less than three months in charge, appointing former Guangzhou Evergrande and West Ham United player Alessandro Diamanti as his replacement. Cole was hired on March 15, 2025, but managed only one win in eight league matches (1 win, 3 draws, 4 losses). Cesena is undergoing a comprehensive summer overhaul, having also brought in Andrea Mancini from Sampdoria as sporting director. Diamanti, 41, previously coached Melbourne City's U23 team from July 2023 to November 2025, marking his first senior head coaching role. During his playing career, Diamanti represented clubs including West Ham United, Bologna, Fiorentina, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Western United. The appointment is described as an eye-catching choice due to Diamanti's limited coaching experience.
虎扑 - 足球Ashley Cole Resigns as Serie B Club Cesena Head Coach After Eight Matches
Ashley Cole, 45-year-old former England and Premier League left-back, has resigned as head coach of Italian Serie B club Cesena after just eight matches in charge. Appointed in March with a contract until the end of the 2025-26 season, Cole's goal was to lead the team into promotion playoffs. However, his stint was unsuccessful: Cesena won only one match, recorded three draws and four losses, and dropped from 8th place (final playoff spot) to 11th place. The club aimed to return to Serie A for the first time since 2015. Cole's appointment, alongside former Chelsea youth coach Jack Meagher, had been questioned by fans. He replaced Michele Mignani, who was sacked after losing 8 of 13 matches, a decision reportedly opposed by sporting director Filippo Fusco and that caused player distress.
虎扑 - 足球Ex-England star Ashley Cole quits first managerial job after just eight games
Ashley Cole, the former England and Premier League star, has resigned as manager of Italian Serie B side Cesena after only eight matches in charge. Appointed in March 2026 for his first managerial role, Cole was tasked with securing a play-off spot, but the team won just one of its final eight games, slipping from 8th to 11th in the table. His appointment, backed by American co-owner Mike Melby, had been met with skepticism by fans and internal disagreement from the sporting director. Cole, 45, left after brief end-of-season discussions about his future. He had previously worked as an assistant coach under Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, and Lee Carsley. Despite the short tenure, Cole expressed readiness to be a head coach and is expected to seek his next coaching opportunity.
Mirror - Football