Joe Cole returns to Chelsea in coaching role, club confirms

Joe Cole's playing days came to an end earlier this year

Joe Cole will return to Chelsea in a coaching capacity, the club has confirmed. A statement says the 37-year-old will spend the next six months as part of the coaching setup within the club's academy. He will work across different various age groups, including Chelsea's Under 18s and development squad, while continuing to study for his coaching qualifications. Having started his playing career at West Ham, Cole moved to Chelsea in 2003, soon after the club was bought by Roman Abramovich. He spent seven years there, winning three Premier Leagues, two FA Cups and a League Cup. He left in 2010 for an unsuccessful spell at Liverpool, later returning to West Ham and also playing for Aston Villa, Coventry City and US side, Tampa Bay Rowdies. He announced he had retired from playing last month. "Looking to the future, I want to stay involved in the game and I feel I can offer a lot as a coach," Cole said. "To lend my experience to help other young footballers achieve their dreams, just like I did, is a big passion of mine." Neil Bath, Chelsea's head of youth development, said: "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."