Former England left-back Ashley Cole is expected to return to Chelsea for a coaching role after announcing his retirement from Football over the weekend.

Cole confirmed the decision to hang up his boots on Sunday following a glittering career that saw the defender win 13 major titles.

Chelsea is said to be interested in having their former players back at the club for different roles with the club having already roped Petr Cech as the club’s technical and performance adviser.

The London club has also kept the door open for legendary striker Didier Drogba to return to the club in the future, while Claude Makelele and Paulo Ferreira being part of the coaching set-up.

Appearance

Cole, who made 694 senior club appearances during a 21-year career, has already completed ambassadorial work for Chelsea during their pre-season tour of the Far East.

But Cole, who made 107 appearances for England, has made clear his intention to start a coaching career, saying: “After hard-thinking and consideration, it was time to hang my boots up and look forward to my next chapter, which will hopefully be coaching.

“I am doing the course at the moment and now I want to be great as a coach.”

Chelsea is understood to be helping Cole, who was famously part of Arsenal’s all-conquering Invincibles side, complete his UEFA qualifications.