Forest Green Rovers has appointed Hannah Dingley as Caretaker Head Coach, taking over from Duncan Ferguson and making her the first woman to manage a professional English men’s team.

Dingley joined the club four years ago and her impact was felt almost immediately. She was behind the launch of Forest Green’s Girls Academy in 2021, and is still the only woman to be in charge of a men’s English Football League Academy.

In a statement released by the club, Dingley said: “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 to lead such a progressive and forward-thinking club.”

Though her time at the reins may be short-lived, her appointment is a huge step in the right direction for gender equity in football at all levels.

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