Ashley Cole showed glimpses of frustration at a lack of managerial opportunities in English football before moving to Italy, according to one of his closest allies.
The ex-England international was appointed as Cesena boss in Serie B until the end of the season as he takes a first leap into becoming a No 1.
Cole has coached with Birmingham City and Everton, while acting as assistant under Lee Carsley for England Under 21s over the last five years.
The 45-year-old is not involved in this camp, qualifiers against Andorra and Moldova, and Carsley claimed the move had been a long time coming.
‘He’s desperate to have his own team and to really have a go at doing it,’ Carsley said. ‘I’ve probably seen a little bit of frustration at times of from him, not getting the opportunities that he probably can see other people getting.
‘It’s brilliant that he’s got the chance to manage. I speak to him most days, and he’s so excited and enthusiastic about the opportunity.
‘He’s had some good jobs but to get that chance as a head coach, he’s probably had to wait that little bit longer. He’s done the (hard) yards. He’s really committed to being a manager.’
Ashley Cole and Lee Carsley, with goalkeeping coach Tim Dittmer (left) and senior performance analyst James Ryder (right), celebrate the U21 Euros winlast summer
Ashley Cole and Lee Carsley, with goalkeeping coach Tim Dittmer (left) and senior performance analyst James Ryder (right), celebrate the U21 Euros win last summer
Carsley also suggested that an FA drive to promote more homegrown coaches – communicated when Thomas Tuchel penned a new contract last month – can only be positive.
Eddie Howe, Liam Rosenior and Michael Carrick are the only English coaches in the Premier League.
‘You can count on one hand the amount of English managers who are currently in any of the top leagues,’ Carsley added.
‘It’s always the intention to have a homegrown coach to lead the national team. The more opportunity we can get in the Premier League and the top leagues… it’s very difficult if we’ve not got a lot to choose from.
‘We have to make sure we don’t look out of the window at what’s out there too much and remember to back ourselves.’
