BACK AT THE BRIDGE
Chelsea news: Ashley Cole confirms he will return to Stamford Bridge to work with Frank Lampard as U15s coach
ASHLEY COLE has confirmed he will coach the Chelsea U15s after hanging up his boots.
The former Blues defender was a guest at the Europa League draw in Monaco where he revealed his next move.
He said: "I've worked under some great managers, took a lot from them so I will go back to Chelsea and work with their under-15s and see where it goes from there."
Cole, 38, put an end to his trophy-laden 20-year career live on TV while working as a pundit for Sky Sports.
After coming through the youth ranks at Arsenal, he made a controversial switch to Chelsea in 2006 before finishing his career with spells at Roma, LA Galaxy and finally Derby at the end of last season.
Working under former Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard, the Rams reached the Championship play-off final but lost to Aston Villa at Wembley.
He will now pursue a career in coaching and is already working towards his badges.
He said: "After hard thinking and consideration, it was obviously time to hang my boots up.
"I can look forward to my next chapter which will hopefully be coaching. I'm doing a course at the moment. Now I want to be great as a coach.
"As a young kid I never expected to play one game or be a professional.
"So looking back now, to be able to say I played in World Cups, Champions League finals, being lucky enough to lift Premier League titles is a young kid's dream. I fulfilled my dream."
On what he is proudest of, Cole added: "I think the England caps. I probably didn't grasp it as much as I should.
"I look back now and I'm like, 'I played for my country.' Not just once but over 100 times so I'm proud of that but a little bit disappointed I didn't get to a final or even a semi-final with England."
He made 697 club appearances through his career, winning 13 major trophies including three Premier Leagues and the Champions League.
Cole also notched up a total of 107 appearances for England, with only five players representing the Three Lions on more occasions.
He was widely regarded as one of the best left-backs of his generation and took the attacking full-back game to another level.
