Ashley Cole expected to leave Cesena eight games into Serie B career

Reports in Italy indicate that former England international Ashley Cole is set to leave his position as head coach of Serie B side Cesena just eight games after he was handed the reins. 

Ashley Cole expected to leave Cesena after eight games

Cole was appointed in mid-March, joining Cesena who were on the push for a play-off spot in Serie B at the time. This was the former Chelsea and Arsenal left-back’s first full-time role as a head coach. 

• Read more: Why Ashley Cole was appointed as head coach of Italian 2nd division side Cesena and why some don’t like it

Cole, who spent two years with Roma towards the end of his playing career, did not get off to the best of starts upon his return to Italy. At the time of his appointment, there were reports that the Cesena fans and players were not at all pleased with the dismissal of previous head coach Michele Mignani. 

Mignani had lost eight of his final 13 matches in charge of Cesena, but his form from the beginning of the season was still enough to have the team up in the play-off positions at the time of his departure. 

Reports at the time claimed that Cesena’s former sporting director Filippo Fusco did not approve of the sacking of Mignani, and some players were reportedly left in tears upon hearing the news of his departure. 

It is believed that the original decision to appoint Cole was taken by the club’s Californian-based co-owner Mike Melby, who knew the Englishman well from his time with LA Galaxy. 

However, like the players and sporting director, the Cesena fans were not best pleased with the decision to replace Mignani midway through the season, and that is before Cole’s record of one win from eight matches in charge is taken under consideration. 

DERBY, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 13: Ashley Cole, Assistant Head Coach of England U21’s, looks on prior to the 2027 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifier match between England and Andorra at Pride Park on October 13, 2025 in Derby, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

In  the end, Cesena finished the 2025-26 season in 11th place in Serie B: Cole recording a record of one win, three draws and four defeats. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, there had briefly been discussions over a possible contract extension for Cole, whose contract with Cesena will expire on June 30, but now, it appears that it is almost certain the Englishman will leave by the end of the month.