West Ham United cult hero Carlton Cole has returned to the club in a mentorship role, the Hammers announced on their official website.
The 35-year-old spent nine years at Upton Park between 2006 and 2015, and will now help out at the club’s Academy of Football.
Cole will be a mentor to West Ham’s scholars and schoolboys, while also providing support to his former teammate and current U-18’s boss Jack Collison.
The former striker will work on and off the pitch with the Hammers’ youngsters as he looks to aid the development of the club’s next generation of stars.
OPINION
It’s always heartening to see former players return to their old clubs in one capacity or another, and Cole seems like a natural fit to work with West Ham’s young players. From the outside looking in he always appeared to be a bubbly and approachable character, and he was likely well liked within the Hammers dressing room. It’s clear that he had a positive impact on the club otherwise he wouldn’t have been offered this role. Whether this is a precursor to a coaching position with West Ham, or simply a mentorship scheme that will help the academy moving forward, is unknown at this time, but it’s a nice next step for Cole in his career off the pitch. He is a very experienced former player who can doubtless provide vital insight and advice to the London Stadium up and comers. This seems like a perfect move for Cole, Collison and everyone connected to the football club.
