Joe Cole: ‘Anything which generates the money you get in football means the parasites come’

Former Chelsea and England maverick on being portrayed as spoilt at 16, Max Dowman’s future, his admiration for Mikel Arteta, and a big dream of managing England

Joe Cole: If they’re really out to do me I just jump up and on the way down they get studs on the shin or an elbow in the face. ‘Sorry mate, you all right?’ But, mostly, Sunday League is brilliant.” 
Pic: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

“Someone who worked a lot with rock stars told me that the age that they become famous is the age they stay for the rest of their life.

I thought: ‘That doesn’t bode well for me,’” Joe Cole says ruefully. “I was in the public eye at 16 and thrust in front of the media. You grow up, you become a dad, but you’re still a footballer. And then, all of a sudden, it stops but your whole identity is still wrapped up in it.”