2023-07-05 02:44:07
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Hannah Dingley ran the Forest Green Rovers Academy for nearly four years
2 hours ago
Forest Green Rovers have appointed Hannah Dingley as their interim coach, making her the first woman to manage a men’s professional team in English football.
The second-division team sacked its coach Duncan Ferguson on Tuesday, following only 6 months in office.
The team’s first match under Dingell’s management will be a friendly once morest Melksham Town on Wednesday.
“I am really excited regarding this next step in my career,” said the 39-year-old. “Pre-season has just started and the whole season will start very soon.”
“It’s an exciting time in football. I’m grateful for the opportunity to step up and lead such a progressive club,” she added.
Dingley joined the club for the first time in 2019 to take charge of the academy and remains the only woman to run a men’s football academy in the English Premier League.
Dingley also launched the club’s girls’ academy, which began operations in 2021.
The Forest Green Rovers coach has a UEFA Pro certificate for coaching and previously worked at Burton Albion.
“Hannah was the natural choice for us to be the interim head coach of the team – she has done a fantastic job leading our academy and aligns well with the club’s values,” said club chairman Dale Vince.
He added: “It would say to the men’s game that by making this appointment on merit we will break new ground, and Hannah will be the first female coach in English football.” [للرجال]”.
“More than capable of training at men’s level”
Dingley spoke to BBC Points West in March regarding breaking barriers in sport.
She said at the time: “You have a responsibility as the first to open doors for others and to encourage others.”
She added that she hopes that breaking the stereotypical barriers that persecute women in the world of football will encourage “more women to participate in training, in football and in different roles. I also feel a great responsibility to talk regarding it.”
She indicated at the time that she did not think it would take long for a woman to take charge of a professional men’s team.
“It’s going to happen sooner than you think,” Dingley said. She added: “The success that the Lionesses (England women’s national football team) achieved, and that Emma Hayes (Chelsea women’s coach) achieved at Chelsea.”
And she continued, “There are others, really good coaches, and I have more than one belief that they will be more than capable of coaching at the men’s level.”
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