Bromley Stadium
Bromley Stadium
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Former players are increasingly taking charge of clubs across English football. Several of them started their playing careers at Arsenal.
Jack Wilshere manages Luton Town in League One. His former Arsenal team-mate Aaron Ramsey has been appointed head coach of Oxford United in the same division.
The most prominent example is Mikel Arteta. He ended Arsenal’s 22-year wait for a league title last season. He is the first Arsenal manager to win the Premier League since Arsene Wenger.
Arteta then took Arsenal to the Champions League final in Budapest. They drew 1-1 with Paris Saint-Germain and lost 4-3 on penalties.
Another figure from the Wenger era is now looking for his own route into the dugout.
Former Arsenal and England defender Ashley Cole was interviewed by Bromley on Tuesday for their vacant manager’s job, according to talkSPORT. Bromley parted company with Andy Woodman last Thursday.
Cole is believed to have competition from Blackburn Rovers assistant head coach Mike Dodds. Alan Nixon had previously reported that Dodds is in the frame at Hayes Lane.
Football Insider reported earlier this week that Bromley had held talks with Cole and view him as a clear contender. Bromley have not announced a new manager. Byron Webster is in interim charge.
Bromley sit 22nd in League One after a 1-1 draw with Peterborough United at the weekend. They have won two of their first 11 league games, and are two points adrift of safety.
The club is playing in the third tier for the first time. Woodman took charge in March 2021 and led Bromley from the National League into the EFL.
He won three trophies and guided the club to the League Two title and promotion last season.
Woodman previously worked as a goalkeeping coach at Arsenal. His exit followed a 4-0 home defeat by Leicester City.
Cole, 45, made his Arsenal debut in 1999 and was part of the unbeaten 2003-04 squad. He won 107 England caps and lifted the Champions League with Chelsea in 2012.
Since retiring in 2019, Cole has worked as a coach at Derby County, Chelsea, Everton and Birmingham City. He also worked with the England set-up, including the Under-21s under Lee Carsley.
Cole took his first head coach job in March at Serie B club Cesena. He signed a contract until 30 June and took charge of the final eight games of the season.
He won one, drew three and lost four, and Cesena finished 11th. He and the club did not extend the deal.