Frank Lampard ‘wants to bring former Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole into his coaching set-up at Everton’ after working with his close friend at Derby as he finalises his backroom staff
- Incoming Everton boss Frank Lampard is lining up his new backroom staff
- The former Chelsea manager is said to be considering Ashley Cole for a role
- The pair were team-mates at Chelsea and also worked together at Derby County
Frank Lampard is considering Ashley Cole for a role in his coaching set-up ahead of his official unveiling as Everton boss, according to reports.
Lampard and Cole are close friends and former team-mates at Chelsea – with the legendary midfielder previously signing the left-back when he was at Derby County – and the defender later joining his backroom staff at Pride Park.
When Lampard became Chelsea boss in 2019, Cole followed him and began working with his old side’s academy before becoming Lee Carlsey’s assistant manager with the England Under-21s.
Frank Lampard is considering appointing Ashley Cole to his Everton staff, reports claim
Lampard’s ex-Chelsea team-mate is working as Lee Carsley’s assistant with England U21s
And now Cole is one of the coaches Lampard is looking at to form part of his coaching team as he gets to work at Everton, according to the Evening Standard.
The incoming Toffees boss is already set to be joined by his former Chelsea coach Joe Edwards and Chris Jones, who worked with him at Stamford Bridge and Derby.
Paul Clement is also expected arrive as his assistant manager having worked as Carlo Ancelotti’s No 2 at Real Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich.
Cole, who won nine trophies with Lampard at Chelsea, spoke about his style as a coach in 2019 after his appointment at Chelsea, admitting he was surprised by how he worked on the training ground.
Lampard and Cole won nine trophies together during a successful time with Chelsea
‘I knew him as a player and as a friend, and then being able to work under him and see the way he works, his ideas and his understanding of the game – it was different to the guy I knew,’ he told talkSport.
‘I’m not saying I didn’t think he had it in him, of course he did. I was buzzing to see how he works, the enthusiasm he has coming to work, taking the sessions.
‘For me, I told him: “I don’t want you to treat me as your friend. If I’m not training well, give me a rollicking and don’t feel you have to play me”.
‘We had that conversation before I joined and he said: “Yeah I understand that, and I know how you are as a professional, so that won’t happen”.
Lampard has been officially announced as Rafa Benitez’s successor at Goodison Park
It continues Cole’s rise as a coach and his bid for more experience as he eyes a future career in management.
At the end of last year he spoke about how he had picked the brains of England boss Gareth Southgate while doing his coaching badges and said he wanted to keep pouncing on opportunities after joining the England U21s.
‘I just need to make sure I’m ready for whatever job, whatever league,’ he said. ‘I need to be ready and able to deliver. The Under 21s is a great opportunity and hopefully there will be a chance to manage at a high level.
‘It was a brilliant opportunity to get two hours to pick [Southgate’s] brains. He shared two hours of his time to give us challenges he had to face with being England manager (and) a great tactical insight into how he builds up to games.’