In a landmark move for English football, Forest Green Rovers have asked their academy manager Hannah Dingley to take charge of the first team after Duncan Ferguson’s exit.
The former Everton striker left his post as head coach on Tuesday after failing to keep Forest Green in League One last season. Ferguson was only appointed in January.
That has opened the door for Dingley to take the reins and the 39-year-old took charge of training on Tuesday before a friendly against Melksham Town on Wednesday. She is expected to continue to lead pre-season preparations.
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Dingley is the only female in charge of a men’s EFL academy team and holds a Uefa Pro Licence. She has previously worked at Burton Albion before joining Forest Green four years ago.
Although the move is temporary for now at least, Dingley will become the first woman to lead a men’s senior side in one of England’s top-four divisions.
Dingley told the club website: “I’m really excited for this next step of my career. Pre-season has just begun and the full season kicks off very soon. It’s an exciting time in football. I am grateful for the opportunity to step up and lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club.”
The Forest Green chairman, Dale Vince, added: “Hannah was the natural choice for us to be first team interim head coach – she’s done a fantastic job leading our academy and is well aligned with the values of the club. It’s perhaps telling for the men’s game that in making this appointment on merit, we’ll break new ground – and Hannah will be the first female head coach in English [men’s] football.”
On Ferguson’s departure, he said: “It had been a privilege to work with Dunc these last few months and this was a very difficult decision to make. I’m grateful to Dunc for joining us in such difficult circumstances and for all of his hard work at the club.
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“But I feel this is overall the right decision for everyone and I wish Dunc well in his next coaching role. We are parting as friends. You can’t ask for much more than that.”