She is the first female head coach in English men’s professional football

Hannah Dingley is the new manager at fourth division side Forest Green Rovers. She will take on the job on an interim basis until further notice. Dingley was previously the head of the Rovers’ own football academy, and the 39-year-old was also the only woman to hold this office in men’s professional football.

“Hannah was a natural choice for us as interim first-team coach – she has done an excellent job in leading our academy and is fully in line with the club’s values,” Forest chairman Dale Vince said in a statement on the club’s website .

“It is perhaps indicative of men’s football that we are breaking new ground with this well-deserved appointment.” Under Dingley’s predecessor, Duncan Ferguson, the Forest Green Rovers were relegated to the fourth-rate League Two.

However, the club enjoys a certain international reputation for its commitment to environmental protection. In 2018, Rovers, from Nailsworth in west England, were recognized by the UN as the world’s first carbon neutral club, after making some notable steps since 2010. Among other things, the Rovers built their stadium largely from wood, which binds CO2, and rely on jerseys and shin guards made from natural raw materials.