Chelsea legend Ashley Cole has opened up about the grueling reality of managing in Serie A, admitting that his decision to move to Italy has been a complicated one.
Appointed in mid-March, Ashley Cole‘s managerial debut for Cesena against Mantova was a nightmare, where his ambitious switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation after just two training sessions resulted in a stinging 3–0 defeat and immediate criticism from the local press.
However, he has gone on to win and draw the next two games, which will hopefully provide a platform to build on for Cesena.
While Cole is supported by a technical staff that includes former Chelsea academy coach Jack Mesure, the 45-year-old has had his struggles.
Despite having an Italian wife, his lack of fluency has isolated him, making his mission to secure a promotion play-off spot significantly more difficult. And with his contract set to expire in June 2026, Cole’s Italian journey is currently a race to adapt his coaching identity before it’s too late.
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Ashley Cole hits a language barrier in Italy
In an open and honest interview with the Could It Be Magic podcast, former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has revealed his struggles managing in Italy.
“I think the language is massive. It is important, and I struggled to get a number two. It’s been hard getting around the language a little bit. I lived in Italy for a year and a bit.
“My wife is Italian, but I don’t really practice speaking it. But now I need to continue to have conversations with players and just tighten up on my language a bit.
“I literally jumped in the puddle, jumped in the mud, and just went… I’m just going to have to go. It was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
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Ashley Cole has a disadvantage over Cesc Fabregas and Enzo Maresca
Ashley Cole faces a steep uphill battle in Italy compared to Enzo Maresca and Cesc Fabregas, primarily due to a lack of familiarity and the crushing weight of a language barrier.
Maresca is a native speaker and an award-winning graduate of the Italian coaching school, and Fabregas is a natural whose transition at Como was smoothed by years of European integration.
Furthermore, Maresca’s experience as an assistant to Pep Guardiola provided him with a proven tactical blueprint. Cole, by contrast, is still carving out his managerial identity while simultaneously fighting to translate basic instructions, a combination that is making it even more difficult.
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