Latest Birmingham City news from Birmingham.
Live includes Ashley Cole on his decision to join the club as Wayne Rooney’s assistant.
Ashley Cole claims that Wayne Rooney and Birmingham City’s desire persuaded him to join the team.
Cole will be a member of Rooney’s coaching team at St Andrew’s. Cole had a trophy-laden playing career with Arsenal and Chelsea. The 42-year-old will combine his new position with Blues with his current one as Lee Carsley’s assistant manager.
A 2002 incident involving Aliou Cisse resulted in Cole receiving a hostile reception every time he played at St Andrew’s. Cisse was dismissed during a 2-0 loss to Arsenal for a second bookable offense. After watching the video of Cisse’s challenge on Cole, referee Mike Riley decided to reverse the red card.
Cole’s history with Blues clearly crossed his mind when Rooney asked him to join the club, but it was never going to dissuade him. “I’ve probably had an up and down relationship with the Blues fans, to be honest, from previous games against them,” Cole admitted to Blues TV.
“With new owners and a new style and philosophy they want to project to the fans, I felt like it was something I couldn’t turn down. I’m excited to be working here and I will give my all for the club.”
Cole will join Rooney, John O’Shea, Carl Robinson and Pete Shuttleworth on the training pitches, while Blues legend Maik Taylor has been retained to coach the goalkeepers. In addition to his England duties, Cole has coached in Chelsea’s youth set-up and worked as Frank Lampard’s assistant at Everton last season.
I enjoy participating in sessions and being hands-on, but of course you have to recognize who the top man is, he continued. I’ll make sure to speak out about what propelled me through my career because I believe it’s crucial.
“In order to be elite, one must consistently work hard and maintain focus. You can’t succeed without working hard, so if we can get 22 players with the same work ethic and approach on the practice field, that would be a tremendous start.
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