Manchester United and England legend Andy Cole has given a raw and honest account of his ongoing daily struggle with kidney failure, eight years after receiving a life-saving transplant.
A Treble Winner's Health Battle Begins
The former striker, now 54, first became seriously ill in 2015 after contracting an unidentified virus while on a trip to Vietnam. This led to kidney failure, a devastating diagnosis for an athlete who had been at the peak of physical fitness throughout his career. By 2017, his condition had deteriorated to the point where a transplant was essential.
Fortunately, Cole's nephew was a match, and the operation that year was successful. However, as the football icon has now revealed, the journey did not end there. The aftermath continues to present significant daily challenges.
The Mental Challenge of a "Fatigue Illness"
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Cole described the profound mental toll of his condition. "It was just a really mentally testing time," he admitted. "You've been fit the majority of your life and then all of a sudden you find yourself in a situation where you're like, 'How do I actually go about this one?'"
He initially tried to tackle his illness with the same mindset he used on the pitch, urging himself to "man up" and get on with it. He soon realised this approach was insufficient. "I think it has been the most challenging thing I've had to go through. Because everything's self-doubt," Cole confessed.
He characterised his ongoing condition as a "fatigue illness" that leads to constant questioning. "You forever question yourself. 'Will I be able to do this? Will I be able to do that?'"
A New Perspective on Life After Football
Cole, who formed a legendary partnership with Dwight Yorke to fire Manchester United to their historic treble in 1999, says his outlook has fundamentally changed. After about two years of intense self-doubt, he decided to adopt a new philosophy, encouraged by former teammates who reminded him of his inner strength.
"I mean, what will be will be, you know? Just live your life, enjoy what you've got left," he stated. "That's the way I try and view things now. Ultimately, with the illness every now and then it's gonna be a struggle. Just gotta ride it out."
He now lives by a simple yet powerful mantra: "Tomorrow's not a given, so just enjoy today for what it is." This helps him manage the difficult days, which he calls "kidney days." "If I wake up tomorrow and, as I call it, it's a kidney day, you get on with it. You ride the day out. Tomorrow is a new day," Cole said, adding, "I've got no time for nonsense anymore."
The striker, who scored 121 goals for United and won five Premier League titles, retired in 2008. His candid revelations offer a stark and inspiring look at life after the spotlight, defined by resilience in the face of a relentless health battle.
