Ashley Cole has revealed how Chelsea academy chief Neil Bath was key to his return to the club.
Cole has kicked off his coaching career this past season inside the Blues academy.
He revealed to ESPN: "It was always on the cards,' he said. 'I spoke to Neil Bath maybe three years ago when I was in Los Angeles, and he asked me what I wanted to do. I mentioned to him maybe about scouting. He gave me options, saying I could come back and do six months as a coach, six months scouting if I wanted.
"Being in LA, I was doing a lot of work behind the scenes as captain, whether it was coaching, the video analysis with the individual players or the units. As soon as I knew I was retiring and it came right to the end of my career at Derby, I knew this was what I wanted to do.
"I spoke to Neil again and he told me I was welcome whenever. I started the process with my badges during that time. It was an easy transition really.
"For me, Neil has been incredible with me. He doesn't just throw you into the busywork, the paperwork and all that. Frank (Lampard) being around is great, but I was coming back regardless."
