Chelsea great Cole's spell as head coach of Serie B club Cesena is set to come to an end, with his short-term contract not expected to be renewed when it expires at the end of June.
The former England left-back was appointed in spring on a deal running through to the end of the season, but Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Cole will leave the role after just eight matches in charge.
His results during that period were modest: one win, three draws and four defeats.
That record is understood to be the central reason behind the decision not to extend the partnership between the two parties.
Cole took over with Cesena sitting eighth in the table, and the club ultimately finished the season in 11th place under his management.
The brief and underwhelming spell marks a setback for Cole's coaching career. After retiring as a player in 2019, he worked his way through the assistant ranks, completing his coaching badges under Frank Lampard at Derby County before spells in Chelsea's academy, at Everton and Birmingham City alongside Lampard and Wayne Rooney, and with England's senior and Under-21 set-ups.
He had spoken of his frustration at the lack of head coach opportunities in England before taking the Cesena job in March, his first senior managerial role after nearly seven years as a number two.
His departure leaves Cesena needing to identify a new head coach ahead of preparations for next season, having seen the club's position in the table slip from eighth, the last play-off spot, down to 11th during his short time in charge.