Serie B outfit Cesena have confirmed Alessandro Diamanti as their new head coach, replacing former England international Ashley Cole after just eight matches in charge.
Swift Change in the Dugout
The Italian club acted decisively to appoint Diamanti following Cole’s exit. The 43-year-old former defender’s tenure proved brief, spanning only eight league fixtures that yielded a single victory, three draws and four defeats.
Cesena has established a pattern of recruiting managers with minimal experience but perceived high potential. Cole’s appointment on March 15 marked his first senior head coaching role, having previously assisted with England’s Under-21 setup, Everton, Chelsea and Birmingham City.
Diamanti’s First Italian Role
For Diamanti, this represents his inaugural management position within his homeland. The former midfielder’s sole previous coaching experience came with Melbourne City’s Under-23 side, where he worked from July 2023 until November 2025.
Diamanti enjoyed a varied playing career across multiple continents. He represented West Ham United in the Premier League, featured for Bologna and Fiorentina in Italy, and also turned out for Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande and Australian outfit Western United.
Serie B Challenge Ahead
Diamanti now assumes control of a club seeking stability in Italy’s second tier. The appointment continues Cesena’s strategy of backing relatively untested coaching talent rather than opting for experienced campaigners.
Following the unsuccessful experiment with Cole, Cesena will hope their latest appointment can establish a more consistent run of results. The challenge represents a significant step up for the novice coach, who must quickly adapt to the demands of senior professional management.