Cole talks red-hot Hammers and management dreams

Carlton Cole believes it would be "good for football" if his former club West Ham qualify for the Champions League. 

In what has been a remarkable campaign in East London, David Moyes’ men are firmly in the race to secure a top-four finish with only six Premier League games remaining. 

Saturday evening’s crunch clash with Chelsea could prove to be season-defining for both sides, with the pair entering the contest locked level on 55 points. 

Ex-England international Cole, 37, represented both clubs during his playing days — but made no secret of who he will be rooting for this weekend in a fascinating interview. 

Cheering the underdogs

Speaking exclusively to LiveScore, Cole said: "I’ve had a good think about this game already! 

"Although Chelsea are a club very close to my heart, they’ve had a huge amount of silverware and success in recent times. 

"I think everyone wants to see the underdog do well, don’t they? West Ham in Europe would be brilliant and I really hope they can get over the line. I think it could be their time.

"If they did get into the Champions League, it would be unheard of. A bit like when Leicester won the league, I suppose. 

"I think even most neutral fans would look at it and say ‘that’s something a bit different, I wouldn’t mind seeing that’. Things like that are good for football."

Admirable campaign

The popular former marksman, who is now coaching youngsters in West Ham’s famed Academy of Football, has been impressed by several members of the Irons squad this term — reserving special praise for one of their less glamorous stars in particular.

He said: "Jesse Lingard has been outstanding since he came in, Declan Rice is a class act, obviously. A cut above. Both [Tomas] Soucek and [Vladimir] Coufal have also been unreal. Two amazing bits of business. 

"But the man for me is Craig Dawson. Unbelievable. I guarantee you, nobody expected him to come in and have the impact he did in the first team. He needs to be commended for that. 

"I was speaking to Mark Noble on Tuesday and he said the lads love him. They give him a bit of banter and he gives it back. He’s just fitted in perfectly. 

"But the whole team has impressed me. Even the players who aren’t playing regularly. Your subs are coming on with the right mindset and making a difference. That’s when you know there are good vibes in the squad."

A Moyes masterclass

Cole was also keen to praise the work of Hammers boss Moyes, 57, who has been touted as a front-runner for the Premier League Manager of the Season award. 

He added: "Moyesy, too. What a job he has done. To turn that squad from last year into what they have now, he’s produced a miracle. 

"But what’s also been amazing to see is to watch him come out of his shell a bit, tactically. They have that hunger you would expect but they are also dominating teams and scoring a lot of goals. 

"In an attacking sense, to see him adapt the way he has is what has impressed me most."

Already closing in on his UEFA A Licence, Cole admits he is paying closer attention than ever before to the tactical side of things.

He said: "Of course, I want to be a manager one day. But I want to go into it being confident and having done it properly. 

"I’m doing my A Licence now and then I’ll go on and try for my Pro Licence, hopefully. I just want to make sure I’ve done everything possible to warrant a space. 

"I don’t feel like I’m quite there yet. I want to learn more about seeing the game from that different angle. But sometimes you don’t get to choose your time and if something comes up sooner, I might have to just take my chance."

Nurturing young talent

While he may not feel ready for senior management just yet, Cole is learning the ropes quickly. 

Part of a team that looks after West Ham’s Under-15 and U-16 sides, it is a role he feels he has plenty to offer. 

Of course, I want to be a manager one day. But I want to go into it being confident and having done it properly Carlton Cole

Cole added: "When I first went to West Ham, I went in there with Jack Collison who was managing the U-18s.

"Initially, the chairman asked me to come in just to have a look and act as a bit of a mentor. But then I kind of got the bug and went to do my badges. 

"I guess I saw how much Jack was enjoying it as a former team-mate and thought, ‘I want a bit of that’. Plus the young players seemed to react to me and respect me. I forged good relationships with the players quickly. 

"I’ve been through a lot of agents in my time. A lot of people giving me the wrong advice. I’ve been through the game! I’m a football man. It’s all I know. 

"These young boys, sometimes, they get carried away — which is natural. But I just try and use my experience to help them and keep them grounded. To be a good manager, I think you have to first become a good mentor."

Embracing the culture

Having amassed 293 appearances for West Ham across all competitions and netted 67 times, Cole cemented himself as a modern-day Irons icon in his playing career. 

Looking back, he is in no doubt the key to his success in East London came from quickly grasping what the passionate Hammers fans expected of their players. 

He said: "When I came to West Ham, I had to really buy into the culture of the club. It’s a working man’s club. 

"First and foremost, before talent comes into it, you’ve got to leave it all out on the pitch. The fans need to see you working hard for the shirt. 

"The Hammers fans love their clever No10s, no doubt. People like Carlos Tevez, Paolo Di Canio, Dimitri Payet and more recently Lingard. Someone who can make magical things happen. 

"But the basis of every West Ham team is hard work and graft — and I think I embodied that. 

"I wasn’t the most naturally gifted player but my work ethic wasn’t in question. 

"I think I got the same love that people like Mark Noble and Michail Antonio get. Even Rice. These boys are all cut from the same cloth. Work hard, give it your all.” 

With that impressive work ethic, it will not be a surprise to see Cole enjoy some success on the touchline in due course.