Former England and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole has candidly revealed he suffered from imposter syndrome when he first began coaching the nation's top footballers, including captain Harry Kane and rising star Cole Palmer.
From Player to Coach: Battling Self-Doubt
Now a full-time coach within the England national team setup, Cole admitted in an interview with The Telegraph that he initially felt anxious about his role. His responsibilities include working with the senior squad and the Under-21s, where he also served as assistant coach under interim manager Lee Carsley.
The ex-left-back, renowned for his playing career with Arsenal and Chelsea, said he was acutely aware that the elite players he was tasked with shaping are coached daily by world-renowned managers at their clubs. This knowledge made him question his own position and authority.
"Pep Allows Him to Do It": The Guardiola Conundrum
Cole provided a stark example of his internal conflict, recalling moments where he had to critique a talent like Cole Palmer, who is developed by Manchester City's Pep Guardiola. "There were times I was thinking, 'I am telling Cole Palmer that’s not good enough but Pep allows him to do it'," Cole explained.
He emphasised the challenge of finding his own confidence and authentic coaching voice. "Even when you are talking to Under-21s you are still talking to players who are coached by Pep Guardiola, and all these top managers, so you do have to find some confidence and authenticity. You can shrink," he told the newspaper.
Gaining Confidence Through Player Response
Cole stated that his confidence grew when he saw his instructions being executed on the pitch by players of the highest calibre. He described the thrill of seeing his advice taken on board by the likes of Harry Kane and Harry Maguire.
"Everything I spoke to them about in the team meetings I saw on the pitch. I’m telling Harry Maguire to do this and I’m telling Harry Kane to do that. To see it (on the pitch) was amazing for my confidence," Cole said. He added that the players were "amazing" towards him, even while they were trying to "work out" if he knew what he was talking about.
Moving On From His Playing Persona
The 44-year-old also reflected on his personal growth since his days as a player, when he was frequently in the headlines for off-pitch incidents. He acknowledged past mistakes but stressed he has matured and gained a deeper understanding of life and respect.
Now, Cole is determined to forge a new identity separate from his legendary playing career. "I want people now to say, 'Ashley Cole, the coach'," he asserted. "Not, 'Ashley Cole, the footballer'. Ashley Cole the player is done. But Ashley Cole the coach, he is doing alright."
His journey from a world-class left-back to a coach overcoming self-doubt highlights the challenging transition many elite athletes face in their post-playing careers.
