League Two side Forest Green’s caretaker manager Hannah Dingley becomes first woman to lead men’s pro team in England
Hannah Dingley is the first woman to manage a men’s professional football side in England’s top four divisions thanks to Forest Green Rovers, a League Two club, following her appointment as caretaker manager. Following Duncan Ferguson’s retirement, this historic choice was made, and Dingley’s interim position represents a huge advance for female inclusiveness in sport.
Dingley, who has a UEFA Pro License, has been given the duty of coaching Forest Green Rovers’ men’s senior side. She has previously proven her capacity for leadership inside the club in her capacity as head of the academy.
On Wednesday night, Forest Green Rovers will play their first preseason match against non-league Melksham Town, under Dingley’s leadership. Dale Vince, the club’s owner, emphasized Dingley’s compatibility with the club’s principles as the main factor in his decision and expressed trust in her talents. The “natural choice” for the temporary coaching role, in his words, was Dingley.
Vince thinks that Dingley’s hiring on merit would pave the way for innovation since he has been at the forefront of implementing innovative measures at Forest Green Rovers. While recognizing the talent and potential of other extremely talented female coaches in the game, he stressed the significance of Hannah becoming the first female head coach in English men’s football.
Dingley expressed her enthusiasm for the chance and the upcoming season. She stressed the revolutionary times in football and expressed her thanks for the opportunity to manage a forward-thinking organization like Forest Green Rovers.
In an interview earlier this year with the BBC, Dingley had expressed her belief that a woman would soon be leading a men’s professional football team, noting the success of the England women’s national team and outstanding female coaches like Emma Hayes.
Forest Green Rovers has established themselves as one of professional football’s most socially progressive clubs under Dale Vince’s leadership. The team received the Vegan Trademark from the Vegan Society in 2017, making it the first vegan football team in the world. This dedication to progressive principles is consistent with the club’s mission and epitomizes an all-encompassing strategy for sport innovation.
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