Ashley Cole 'discouraged' by coaching opportunities in England

Former Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has said he felt "discouraged" by the lack of managerial opportunities in England and is grateful for Serie B side Cesena for the "massive leap of faith" in appointing him. Cole was hired as boss at Italian club Cesena last month in what is his first full-time managerial role. The 45-year-old had previously had spells as assistant manager at Everton , Birmingham City and England, but his experience wasn't deemed sufficient for a head coach role at any English club. "I was getting kind of discouraged by a lack of opportunities, from some clubs in England I spoke to," Cole said in an interview to BBC . "They like to throw the 'you don't have experience' line. And I'm like, I get what you're saying, I agree -- but how am I going to get experience? "That's the battle you have to fight as a number two for six or seven years -- you have to take a leap of