Former Arsenal, Chelsea, and England left-back Ashley Cole has taken his first managerial role at Serie B side Cesena, and he is determined to make his mark. The 45-year-old, who retired from playing seven years ago, has been preparing for this moment through years of coaching experience and learning from top managers.
A Long Journey to the Dugout
Cole's path to management was not immediate. He spent seven years working as a coach, including roles at Derby County, Chelsea's academy, and the England national team. During that time, his wife Sharon Canu endured countless tactical discussions at the dinner table. 'I bored her a lot,' Cole says with a smile. The couple met while Cole played for Roma, and Italy has always been part of their plans. 'We love the food and the calmness of the country,' he explains.
Cesena, a working-class city in Emilia-Romagna, is a club with a rich history. They have spent 13 seasons in Serie A and qualified for the UEFA Cup in the 1970s. The club's American co-owner Mike Melby approached Cole to revive their fortunes. 'The fans weren't happy with the style of play,' Cole recalls. 'They wanted an exciting, energetic team that plays on the front foot.'
Building Trust and Implementing a Philosophy
Cole's appointment in mid-March came with the team on a poor run of form. 'When I arrived, the team hadn't won in six or seven games. Confidence was low,' he says. His first match ended in defeat, but a 3-1 win against fellow playoff contenders Catanzaro lifted spirits. 'I want this team to reflect the fans. They are humble, hard-working people who work every day to afford a ticket. We need to give them everything on the pitch.'
Cole's tactical approach is possession-based and attacking. 'We're implementing a tactical shift. Possession-based, but attacking. Playing between the lines, playing fast. I want intensity without the ball, staying in the opposition's half, sustaining attacks.' He is aware of Serie B's defensive tendencies but believes patience and ball control are key. 'If you just play long, it's 50-50 in the air, the team gets stretched, and you can't press effectively.'
Communication and Culture
In the dressing room, Cole communicates in a mix of English and Italian. 'Sto migliorando il mio Italiano,' he offers. 'There are moments where I address the team in Italian and moments where I vent frustration in English. Some players ask me to speak English because they want to learn it.' Staff member Nicola Capellini, a former youth player, acts as a bridge between the two languages.
The players call him 'Mister,' the traditional Italian honorific for a manager. Cole tells them they don't have to, but respects the custom. 'I want them to see I'm human and not a monster. Building that connection in a short time has created real trust. The players have to trust what I'm asking them to do.'
Coaching Philosophy and Development
Cole is clear that he will not coach players to be replicas of himself. 'Never. I don't coach a left-back to play exactly how I played because we are different. We have different physical and mental attributes. I might give pointers, but I don't expect a player like Gianluca Frabotta, who is tall and has a different style, to do exactly what I did.' He applies the same approach to midfielders, focusing on their individual attributes.
He also criticizes Italian youth football for being too defensive. 'England has one of the best loan systems in the world because our leagues offer different styles. In Italy, the league is very defensive, so players often only develop one aspect: defending. At the youth level, it shouldn't be about winning; it should be about technical development.'
Aspirations and England's Chances
Cole's overriding ambition is to take Cesena back to Serie A. '100%,' he says without hesitation. 'Since I've been here, I've seen a dramatic change in the players' mentality. They've embraced change and want to be better. I'm not saying it will happen this season, but the idea going forward is that we need to be in Serie A.'
On England's chances at the World Cup, the 107-cap international is optimistic. 'The talent is unbelievable. The challenge is handling the pressure and expectation. As a player, we failed in that regard, and with the talent we had, that is a regret of mine. The current squad has the character and belief to win it. England should be right there competing at the top.'
