{"id":5729,"date":"2026-04-10T14:04:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T14:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/5729\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T14:04:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T14:04:16","slug":"former-chelsea-defender-ashley-cole-is-already-struggling-managing-in-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/italy\/5729\/","title":{"rendered":"Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole is already struggling managing in Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Appointed in mid-March, Ashley Cole<\/a>\u2018s 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\u20130 defeat and immediate criticism from the local press.<\/p>\n

However, he has gone on to win and draw the next two games, which will hopefully provide a platform to build on for Cesena. <\/p>\n

While Cole is supported by a technical staff that includes former Chelsea academy coach Jack Mesure<\/a>, the 45-year-old has had his struggles. <\/p>\n

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\u2019s Italian journey is currently a race to adapt his coaching identity before it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

Clearlake will NOT sell Chelsea, they are prepared to buy out Todd Boehly and increase their stake even more \ud83d\udcb0 <\/p>\n

What do you make of this?<\/p>\n

\"ChelseaPhoto by Robin Jones\/Getty Images Ashley Cole hits a language barrier in Italy<\/p>\n

In an open and honest interview with the Could It Be Magic podcast<\/a>, former Chelsea<\/a> defender Ashley Cole has revealed his struggles managing in Italy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the language is massive. It is important, and I struggled to get a number two. It\u2019s been hard getting around the language a little bit. I lived in Italy for a year and a bit. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy wife is Italian, but I don\u2019t really practice speaking it. But now I need to continue to have conversations with players and just tighten up on my language a bit. <\/p>\n

\u201cI literally jumped in the puddle, jumped in the mud, and just went\u2026 I\u2019m just going to have to go. It was an opportunity I couldn\u2019t turn down.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fill in the gaps \u2013 who makes your starting XI to face Manchester City?\ud83d\udc40 <\/p>\n

\"ChelseaGRV Media Ashley Cole has a disadvantage over Cesc Fabregas and Enzo Maresca<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

Furthermore, Maresca\u2019s experience as an assistant to Pep Guardiola<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

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