JOE DREAMING
Joe Cole returns to Chelsea as technical academy coach – hoping to help young Blues ‘achieve their dreams’
Club legend, 37, will work across age groups for the next six months while continuing to study for coaching badges
CHELSEA have confirmed that club legend Joe Cole will return to the club as an academy coach.
The 37-year-old, who retired from playing in November, will work across age groups for the next six months while he continues to study for his coaching badges.
4
Cole, who won three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the League Cup with the Blues, said: "Looking to the future, I want to stay involved in the game and I feel I can offer a lot as a coach.
"To lend my experience to help other young footballers achieve their dreams, just like I did, is a big passion of mine."
Cole was in the Premier League team of the year in the title-winning 2006 season and was also named Chelsea player of the year in 2008.
He joined the club from West Ham in 2003, where he was the sixth player signed at the start of the Roman Abramovich era.
4
4
Cole went on to play 281 games in Blue, scoring 40 goals.
He left for Liverpool in 2010 and then back to West Ham for two seasons.
Cole had a successful loan spell at Lille, as well as brief spells at Aston Villa and Coventry City.
The former England star, who won 56 caps for the Three Lions, spent the final three seasons in the US with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Full Premier League weekend preview including Liverpool v Arsenal
4
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Chelsea head of youth development Neil Bath added: "We are delighted Joe has agreed to return to Chelsea and coach in the Academy.
"It has always been our philosophy to have a number of ex-players involved in our coaching structure so they can pass on their unique experiences and what it means to play for Chelsea.
"Joe will work across a number of age groups and with various staff to ensure he gets to experience the full range of our programme.
"I’m sure sharing his experiences and football knowledge, combined with his obvious passion for the game, will help enormously with the development of our young players."
Topics