By David Williams
Welsh coach Hannah Dingley has made history by taking charge of a men’s Football League club.
The Carmarthen-born Dingley has been promoted to the top job at Forest Green Rovers, on an interim basis.
Forest Green have appointed Dingley as caretaker head coach, making her the first woman to take charge of an English Football League club.
The Gloucestershire club appointed Dingley following the departure of Duncan Ferguson.
The 51-year-old Scot was appointed in January but he was unable to keep them in League One, with Rovers winning just six of their 46 games.
🚨 Forest Green Rovers have named Hannah Dingley as their new caretaker boss ⚽
It makes her the first woman to manage a professional men’s football team 👏
Read more below ⬇️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/Sy52av9HEV
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 4, 2023
Rovers have now moved to install Dingley in interim charge, making her the first woman to lead a men’s professional senior team in England.
Forest Green chairman Dale Vince said on the club website: “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.”
🚨 BREAKING: Forest Green have put Hannah Dingley in caretaker charge of the men’s team following Duncan Ferguson’s departure.
She is the first woman to lead a men’s senior club in England’s top four divisions. 👏
(Source: @SamiMokbel81_DM) pic.twitter.com/p1vX1Tz6Uy
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 4, 2023
Dingley will continue preparations for the club’s opening pre-season fixture against non-league Melksham Town on Wednesday night.
“I’m really excited for this next step of my career,” she said. “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.”
Forest Green have previously demonstrated a desire to steer away from the conventional in their recruitment of head coaches.
In May 2021, Vince said that a female coach working in the Women’s Super League had been a standout candidate to become the club’s new boss until it emerged her CV had been put forward without her knowledge.
Forest green rovers Dale Vince:
“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.”
— Alan Myers (@ALANMYERSMEDIA) July 4, 2023
Commenting about Ferguson’s departure earlier on Tuesday, Vince 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.
“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.”
Forest Green Rovers have appointed Hannah Dingley as Caretaker Head Coach.
Dale Vince: “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.” 🙌
— The Sack Race (@thesackrace) July 4, 2023