Joe Cole says he wants to follow Frank Lampard into management

Joe Cole, the former Chelsea and England midfielder, said he intends to pursue a career in management and would welcome the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of former team‑mate Frank Lampard.

Cole, who has worked primarily as a pundit for TNT Sports since retiring from playing, told talkSPORT that he has been keeping his coaching skills sharp and would like to move into first‑team management at some point. He said he spent time last year working with Brentford’s academy and plans to resume coaching "when things settle down." "It's something I've got my eye on at some point," Cole said. "It's difficult, though. You don't want to take a job that you don't think is right for you at the time. There's lots of decent jobs, but you want a good job with an opportunity to do well."

Cole said he is taking a measured approach to any managerial move, balancing ambition with a desire to find the right environment for a first senior appointment. He has experience in youth coaching from his time at Brentford and has remained visible in the game through his television work.

Cole played alongside Lampard at Chelsea and emphasized the appeal of coaching at the senior level while noting the challenges of transition from media to management. He declined to commit to a timeline for taking a first‑team role but made clear the move is part of his long‑term plans.

Since retiring as a player, Cole has been a regular voice in football broadcasting and has undertaken short‑term coaching roles to maintain his connection to the technical side of the game. His comments follow a broader trend of former players moving into coaching and management after careers in broadcasting or academy roles.

No formal approaches or appointments were announced at the time of Cole's remarks. He said he wants an opportunity where he can progress and judged a potential job by its prospects for success rather than its profile.

Cole’s remarks on talkSPORT were first reported on Sept. 6, 2025. He remains one of several high‑profile former players who have publicly discussed moving into management after retirement from playing.