Andy Cole, one of the most prolific strikers in Premier
League history, has confirmed he has retired from the
game.
The 37-year-old is disappointed that his glittering career has
ended acrimoniously at hometown club Nottingham Forest but is now
looking to find a coaching role, with Blackburn Rovers already
forwarded as a possible destination.
With 187 Premier League goals to his name, the former Manchester
United hit-man feels he still has a lot to offer but will not be
turning out on the pitch again.
"It's not the ideal ending," he told The Times. "It just wasn't
working out.
"I wanted to go there and offer something but it was a strange
one from the start [at Forest]. I never knew what my role was.
"I felt like the manager [Colin Calderwood] 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 this 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 admitting leaving Old Trafford too early to join
Blackburn, a return to Ewood Park could be on the cards as a coach,
although Cole claims he has not heard from his former team-mate
Paul Ince.
"I've all this experience," he added. "I don't want to keep it
to myself.
"I want to give something back."
