Joe Cole has revealed that he smashed up Chelsea's dressing room after being substituted by manager Jose Mourinho just 26 minutes into a Premier League match against Fulham in March 2006. Speaking on the Could It Be Magic? podcast in March 2025, the former midfielder described his furious reaction to being hauled off early.
Cole said he kicked the massage table and walls, throwing anything in sight like a 'big spoilt child'. In contrast, teammate Shaun Wright-Phillips, who was also substituted at the same time, remained calm. 'Wrighty's just chilled, taking his socks off,' Cole recalled, bemused by his composure.
Wright-Phillips explained that he had learned to expect such ruthless decisions from Mourinho, who would make changes regardless of the time if he saw a tactical advantage. 'If he sees something else in that game that he can win the game by, he's going to do it,' Wright-Phillips said, adding that he was left laughing in disbelief because the wingers had not received the ball enough to play badly.
Despite the early substitutions, Chelsea lost 1-0 to Fulham, with Luis Boa Morte's 17th-minute goal enough for victory. However, the defeat proved insignificant as Chelsea went on to secure their second consecutive Premier League title six weeks later, culminating in a 3-0 win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Cole scored a memorable solo goal in that match, while Wright-Phillips was not in the squad. Wright-Phillips left Chelsea to rejoin Manchester City in 2008 after four seasons. Chelsea, now managed by Liam Rosenior, trail league leaders Arsenal by 13 points ahead of hosting West Ham on Saturday.
