The team of the fourth division Forest Green Rovers named Hannah Dingley as caretaker coach on Tuesday following the departure of Duncan Ferguson, who became the first woman to manage a professional men’s team in England.
Forest Green, who were relegated from League One last season, said Ferguson was stepping down after six months in charge. Dingley’s first game in charge will be a friendly against Melksham Town on Wednesday.
“I’m really excited about this next step in my career,” Dingley, who has a professional license from UEFA, told the club’s website. “I am grateful for the opportunity to step up and lead such a forward-thinking and progressive club.”
Dingley joined the Gloucestershire club in 2019 to oversee the youth academy and remains the only woman to run a club academy in the English men’s soccer league. He also set up a girls’ school in 2021. Dingley, 39, previously coached women’s teams at Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Lincoln and was head of coaching at League One side Burton Albion’s academy.
“Hannah was the natural choice,” explained club president Dale Vince. “He has done a fantastic job leading our academy and aligns well with the values of the club. It is perhaps an eye-opener for men’s sport that by making this merit appointment we can break new place.”
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
