Written by
Simon Austin
March 16, 2026
Ashley Cole has taken on his first senior managerial role after being named Head Coach of Italian Serie B side Cesena to the end of the season, with Jack Mesure leaving Chelsea to become his Assistant.
Cole, 45, leaves his role as England Under-21s Assistant to join Cesena. He had worked alongside Lee Carsley since July 2021, initially on a part-time basis before becoming full-time in 2024. During that time they won the U21 Euros in both 2023 and 2025.
Cole is a UEFA Pro Licence Coach and has also worked as a First-Team Coach at Everton and Birmingham City. The former Arsenal and Chelsea star has experience of working in Italy, having played for Serie A side Roma from August 2014 to January 2016.
Cole won 107 caps for England and is widely regarded as one of the finest left-backs to have played in the English top flight.
Mesure, 38, leaves Chelsea’s Academy after two spells spanning seven years. He joined the Blues after almost a decade at Crystal Palace in October 2018, as U15s and then U16s Head Coach. During this time he worked closely with Cole, who coached at Cobham from the summer of 2019.
Jack Mesure: Worked with Cole at Chelsea's Academy
Mesure left Chelsea in the summer of 2020 to become Assistant to Ben Garner at Bristol Rovers, but returned a year later to replace Eric Ramsay as U23s Assistant. In July 2025, he transitioned into the role of Loan Pathways Coaching.
At Cesena, Cole replacers Michele Mignani, who was sacked following the 2-2 home draw against Frosinone on Saturday. His other assistants will be the existing staff of Giorgio D’Urbano (Fitness Coach), Paolo Stringara (Technical Assistant), Nicola Capellini (Technical Assistant) and Federico Agliardi (Goalkeeper Coach).
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