Forest Green Rovers name Hannah Dingley caretaker Head Coach in landmark move

In a landmark move for English Football, Sky Bet League Two side Forest Green Rovers have appointed Hannah Dingley as their new caretaker Head Coach, making her the first woman to manage a professional men’s team in English football.

Dingley, who is the Club’s Academy Head, was appointed caretaker boss of Forest Green following the departure of Duncan Ferguson earlier this week. 

The 39-year-old joined the League Two Club four years ago to take charge of the Academy and remains the only woman in charge of a men’s EFL Academy. During her time at Forest Green, she has also initiated the launch of the FGR Girls Academy, which aims to develop female players while mirroring the men’s setup. 

She will take charge with immediate effect, with her first match a friendly at Melksham Town on Wednesday. 

On being appointed, Dingley told Forest Green’s 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’m grateful for the opportunity to step up and to lead such a progressive and forward-thinking Club.”

The EFL’s Head of EDI, Dave McArdle, added: “This is a welcome moment for English football and with many highly skilled and experienced coaches across the game it was only a matter of time before the ongoing positive development of female coaches led to an opportunity in the first-team at an EFL Club.

“It has always been a key priority for the EFL to create an environment in which Clubs consider qualified candidates from an ever-widening pool of coaching talent and select the best possible person for a role. This represents another step forward as we strive to make our game representative of the communities we serve.”

We can confirm that Hannah Dingley has been named our Caretaker Head Coach.

Dingley will take charge of the team for tomorrow night’s friendly at Melksham Town.#WeAreFGR💚

— Forest Green Rovers (@FGRFC_Official) July 4, 2023

Speaking to BBC Sport as part of the EFL’s Together month back in March, Dingley said it “would not be long” until we see a woman managing a men’s professional football team and that it would come “sooner than we think”. 

She said: “You’ve got a responsibility as the first to open the doors for others and to encourage others. You always say if you don’t see it, you’re probably not going to be it. The fact that I do this, I hope it encourages more females to come into coaching, into football and into different roles. I feel a great responsibility to talk about that.”