Hannah Dingley is a Welsh football coach currently serving as the caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers, a club in EFL League Two. As of July 2023, she holds the distinction of being the sole female coach leading a professional men’s team in English football. Additionally, Dingley possesses a UEFA Pro License.
Bio/Wiki
Age-39 years
Height-5 feet 6inch
Weight-55kg
Born- 19 July 1983
Birthplace- Carmarthen, Wales
Profession- Head Coach In English Men’s Professional Football
Spouse- Mark Cooper
Current team-Forest Green Rovers (caretaker manager)
Family
Dingley grew up in Carmarthenshire, situated in the south-west region of Wales. During her younger years, she developed a deep love for football, which became an integral aspect of her family’s traditions and values.
Husband
Hannah Dingley and Mark Cooper are a married couple. Mark Cooper is not only a football coach but also the former manager of Forest Green Rovers. Their paths crossed in 2016 while they were both employed at Notts County, and they tied the knot in 2019.
Children
Together, they have two children: a son named Harry and a daughter named Isla.
Education
Dingley obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Sport and Exercise Science as well as a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Coaching from Loughborough University. Despite the absence of a girls’ team at her school, she participated in the boys’ club in her locality. During her time at Loughborough University, she coached various teams, including university-level boys’ teams and non-league men’s football teams.
Career
Early Career
During his work experience with Swansea City, Dingley had the opportunity to witness manager Jan Mølby’s training sessions and be present on match days. This valuable experience further fueled Dingley’s aspiration to pursue a career in football management.
Professional Career
Hannah Dingley’s situation highlights a frustrating misconception among female coaches that their only viable opportunity lies within the women’s game. In reality, there are numerous prospects in the men’s game, particularly within the expansive realm of academy football. Dingley herself faced such assumptions but was ultimately chosen for a coaching position based on her merits.
Dingley’s professional journey includes significant roles such as a course leader at Loughborough College in Sport & Exercise Science and a senior lecturer at Wolverhampton University in Sports Coaching Practice. She initially began coaching in 2011, working with both the Notts County under-9 boys team and Lincoln Ladies. However, due to restrictions, she had to choose one and decided to focus exclusively on the ladies team, given their inclusion of international players.
Throughout her career, Dingley encountered challenges, such as verbal abuse from Northwich Victoria manager Lee Ashcroft while coaching Gresley in 2013. Ashcroft’s behavior resulted in a 10-match ban for his use of abusive and/or insulting language. Despite these obstacles, Dingley persevered and continued to make strides in her coaching career.
In 2013, Dingley joined Burton Albion as an academy coach and later transitioned to coaching their senior men’s team from 2016 to 2019. In 2019, she made history by becoming the first woman to coach a men’s academy team in England when she was appointed as the academy manager at Forest Green Rovers. Furthermore, in 2021, she further expanded opportunities by launching a girls’ academy for Forest Green.
A significant breakthrough occurred on July 4, 2023, when Dingley was named the caretaker manager of Forest Green Rovers following the dismissal of Duncan Ferguson. This appointment marked a historic moment, as Dingley became the first woman to assume the role of manager for a men’s senior English professional football team. Dingley expressed her perspective on the new position, emphasizing her experience coaching men for over two decades and her positive interactions with players who simply seek quality coaching and a well-structured program.
Forest Green Rovers owner Dale Vince echoed Dingley’s sentiments, stating that her appointment was a straightforward decision based on her qualifications and expertise. Gender played no role in the selection process.
Net Worth 2023
The net worth is still unverified, but there are reports suggesting that her worth could range from $500,000 to $3 million dollars.
Latest News About Hannah Dingley
Hannah Dingley, the first woman to assume leadership of an English Football League club, oversaw her debut game on Wednesday as Forest Green kicked off their pre-season campaign with a 1-1 draw against non-League Melksham Town.
Having served as Forest Green’s academy manager for four years, Dingley has stepped up on an interim basis following Duncan Ferguson’s recent departure.
A former university lecturer, Dingley was already the sole woman in charge of a men’s academy at an EFL club. While the duration of her interim appointment remains uncertain, she hopes that this groundbreaking move will inspire others.
During a press conference at Oakfield Stadium, which saw more media attention than usual, Dingley expressed the importance of being a role model for female coaches and young girls. She emphasized the message that anything is achievable through hard work, and while she is honored to be the first, she expressed disappointment that she remains the only female academy manager in the EFL.
Dingley stated that if real change is to occur, more women must be given opportunities in such positions throughout football clubs. She asserted that her focus is on providing the team with the necessary preparation for the upcoming season and that her appointment is not a mere publicity stunt.
Dingley expressed gratitude for the support she has received and was accompanied by club chair Dale Vince during the post-match press conference. Vince emphasized that the decision to appoint Dingley was based purely on footballing merits and not as a publicity stunt. He acknowledged the significance of the attention surrounding the appointment and believed it could challenge existing barriers.
When asked about the possibility of Dingley assuming the role permanently, Vince stated that the recruitment process would take several weeks. He encouraged Dingley to apply if she wishes, acknowledging her experience and insider knowledge but ensuring that a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted.