Cole calls time on career

Legendary striker slips into retirement

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 11th November 2008

Cole calls time on career

Cole: Acrimonious exit

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Andy Cole has announced his retirement from football, bringing to an end a glittering 19-year career.

The legendary striker can now reflect on playing days which saw him collect countless medals and represent some of the most illustrious sides in England.

Newcastle, Manchester United, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham and Manchester City all benefited from Cole's remarkable goalscoring instincts, while he also represented his country on 15 occasions.

He sits second in the all-time Premier League scoring charts, with only Alan Shearer proving to be a more deadly hit-man.

Cole has a host of happy memories to look back on as he prepares to hang up his boots but admits his acrimonious departure from Nottingham Forest, where he had his contract terminated by mutual consent after just four months at the club, was not how he envisaged bowing out.

"It's not the ideal ending," Cole told The Times.

"It just wasn't working out. I told them from the outset that I didn't want to go there to sit on the bench because I didn't want to be perceived as sitting back and making easy money.

Intimidated

"I wanted to go there and offer something, but it was a strange one from the start. I never knew what my role was. Was it to lend a hand, use my experience, or was it a PR thing, to sell a few more season tickets? I still don't know.

"I felt like the manager wouldn't have a conversation with me. I don't know if it's the right word, but he seemed kind of intimidated by me.

"People will look at it and say this is how they expected me to go, in a huff or in some kind of controversy, but it wasn't like that. I just wish Forest could have been honest. I've always been honest in my career, maybe too honest for my own good."

Despite the disappointing climax to his career, Cole insists he has no regrets.

"I wouldn't change a thing. I've lived the dream," he added.

Cole is now expected to pursue his ambition of going into coaching, with Blackburn already rumoured to have expressed an interest in acquiring his services.

Comments (23)

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Sibusiso Mazibuko (Stoke City fan) says...

An absolute legend! One of the greatest strikers to play in the Premiership. Sad to see him go, and even sadder to see him leave the game on this note. England were all the more poorer for not giving him more of a look-in during his career. I sincerely hope he is not lost to the game. Goal king cole, long live the king

Posted 12:14 12th November 2008

Adam C (Fulham fan) says...

Andy Cole was not overrated, he scored goals for Fulham and in fact was top goal scorer that season and since then nobody has been his total, although he didnt seem to do a lot of work he was always were he was meant to be.

Posted 11:15 12th November 2008

Justin Cred (Blackburn Rovers fan) says...

Just looking back when Andy was at rovers he was still top quality, always fancied him to get goals natural finisher with the instinct, takes a lot to go through what he did early on at united but he came good. Well done Andy.

Posted 22:12 11th November 2008

Eddie Whitfield (Newcastle United fan) says...

Don't know why people have to put a legend that is Andrew Cole down, Bet if he played for their club the would be praising him to the high hills. Jealousy! Anyways he stands out a long with other former toon strikers as one of the premier league's greatest British Strikers - others being Shearer & Ferdinand.

Posted 20:04 11th November 2008

Steve Kay (Manchester City fan) says...

Pure class, and that's coming from a Manchester City supporter! He didn't let City down even though it was towards the end of his career when he was here in 2005-06. Scored 9 goals in 20 Premier League starts, and 10 goals in total from 23 appearances. Saw him at Manchester Airport in the summer, still looking in good shape, despite tipping God knows how many sugar tubes into a coffee.

Posted 19:59 11th November 2008

Matt Whitaker (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

He's a striker. Surely his role was to score goals and from what I saw going to some early games this season, and from speaking to other Forest season ticket holders, it didn't seem like he was up for it any more. Not sure if it was a lack of fitness or whatever - I guess we'll never know. Don't get me wrong, I have huge respect for him and his achievements throughout his career. I was pleased when Forest announced his signing and I wish it could've worked out differently for him and Forest, but that's just the way it goes sometimes. Hope he enjoys his retirement and continues to put something back into the game.

Posted 17:29 11th November 2008

Kevin Wheatley (Newcastle United fan) says...

Come on Jim...better than Shearer...I don't think so...I saw both up close...but what a fantastic goal scorer....Cole the goal....good luck mate

Posted 17:14 11th November 2008

Steve Markson (Nottingham Forest fan) says...

He was very lazy at Forest, he didn't want to play, he just stood on the half way line looking into space, a complete waste of 4 months. He was upsetting the dressing room, have you noticed since hes left we've not lost?

Posted 17:07 11th November 2008

Michael Mcmanus (Manchester United fan) says...

Brilliant player, got off to hard start at united but turned out a legend! He's been influential in nearly every club he's been to which not many players can say!! He'll be sorely missed..King Cole

Posted 17:05 11th November 2008

Shane Hepworth (Manchester United fan) says...

well what can you say one of the greatest strikers to grace the modern game and a true sportsman. one of the biggest mistakes england has ever made by not picking him regulaly i'm sure he would have got the goals given the chance. i wish him all the best and thank him for all he has done for man utd over the years.

Posted 17:04 11th November 2008

Mohammed Arabia (Chelsea fan) says...

THANK GOD! He is the kind of man who tarnished our game with his lack of commitment or any sort of loyalty.True he had great football Abilites but unfortunately his total lack of passion was disgusting.I hope now he moves on & we can all forget he ever played. thank you..

Posted 16:42 11th November 2008

Andrew Brown (Manchester United fan) says...

Sad to see him go but he missed more open goals and absolute 'sitters' than I have had hot dinners...

Posted 16:36 11th November 2008

Phil Kirkham (Manchester United fan) says...

Goodbye to a pure Legend of the game and one of the gentleman! Andy put 110% into every game and im sure whoever get him on their coaching team will be really lucky

Posted 16:17 11th November 2008

Kieran Genasco (Manchester United fan) says...

Cole was a true great! Never got the respect he deserved. His career did fizzle out after he left Utd but so does most others who leave old trafford. Had the potential to be as good for England as he was for Newcastle & Man utd but was let down by a succession of England managers who did not give him a chance. Would walk into the England team now if he was younger!!! Good luck to him for the future - hope he stays in the game.

Posted 16:08 11th November 2008

Ian Laws (Newcastle United fan) says...

I remember watching him when i was growing up playing for newcastle in my teen days. We had chant made which is now famous of 'Andy cole, Andy cole, Andy Andy cole, He gets the ball and he scores a goal Andy Andy cole!' That basically is the best way to describe him in that chant. I also remember when he left newcastle for Man utd and there was a big uproar about it from the fans at the time and not without reason. True legend in english football and should have had more england caps in my humble opnion.

Posted 14:35 11th November 2008

Paul Westby (Manchester United fan) says...

What a legend! A great footballer for Manchester United. He didnt always get the credit he deserved, but sitting 2nd of the All-time highest goal scorers behind Alan Shearer, speaks for itself!!! Would be good to see him back at Man United in the future!! All the Best!

Posted 13:39 11th November 2008

Jeff Bowles (Aberdeen fan) says...

simply a true class legend, remember him scoring goals galore for Newcastle and Man Utd, and also missing a few sitters as well! Doubt many will overtake him in the future in terms of premiership goals. The last true English striker of the Premiership for sure.

Posted 13:38 11th November 2008

Kevin Talley (Manchester United fan) says...

Thanks Andy for your amazing performances for Man united. A clasy under-rated player. As a amatuer striker myself i appreciate how u played and i believe that your partnership with dwight yore is uniteds best to date. Also urs with beardsley was frighting. An illustrious career. Andy should have played for england more!!!!

Posted 13:26 11th November 2008

Adam Morris (Manchester United fan) says...

In all my 20 years as a United fan I would have to say in that time Andy Cole is one of the best finishes I have ever seen. When fit the guy would score 20+ goals a season. Top quality! So many people got fooled by his lack of goals for England but did he ever got proper chance? Most of his 15 caps were coming on as a late substitute. Being the second highest Premiership scorer of all time tells its own story really. Thanks for the memories Andy. You are a true legend!

Posted 13:10 11th November 2008

Jim Stevens (West Bromwich Albion fan) says...

Sorry to see a goal scoring legend retire. we could do with someone like him at the baggies this season. better than shearer! just not picked for england early enough in his career, an asspect of his game he shares with the late, great jeff astle.

Posted 12:59 11th November 2008
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