Cole took charge of the Serie B side in March 2026 after building coaching experience with Derby County, England Under-21s, Everton, Birmingham City and the England senior team.
Riza, who had worked alongside Cole, has now explained why the pair decided their future lay elsewhere after only eight matches.
When Cole and Riza arrived, Cesena were just outside the play-off places and the initial plan was focused beyond the immediate campaign.
“We went in there, obviously, it’s a different mentality, different game style out there. We were just outside the play-offs, and we went in with eyes wide open, really,” Riza told talkSPORT.
“I think the remit was to worry more about what’s coming next season.”
The coaching team believed the club was preparing to challenge for promotion the following year and wanted to shape the squad accordingly.
“We want to build, we want to go for the league next season, and we want to bring in players that can help to do that,” Riza said.
That plan changed towards the end of the season. According to Riza, the board altered its priorities and began considering a very different approach.
“Unfortunately, towards the back end of the season, the board sort of changed their mind on what they wanted to do,” he said.
“And they wanted to sell their best players. They wanted to bring all the youth through, and they wanted to sort of manage just about trying to stay in the league.”
That was not the project Cole and Riza believed they had signed up for.
“So it wasn’t something that we – Ashley and myself – felt that it was the right sort of job at the time to stay on,” Riza added.
Cole subsequently confirmed that his departure followed discussions with the club's sporting director over a change in strategy.
His former assistant nevertheless described the experience positively.
“But it was a really good experience. A different style of play again and something to bring back, hopefully, when I get a new job.”
Riza has also left the door open to another collaboration with Cole, saying the pair work well together and could potentially join forces again if the right opportunity arises.