Ashley Cole to be offered Chelsea coaching role after announcing his retirement from football

Ashley Cole is expected to be offered a return to Chelsea after the former England left-back announced his retirement.

On the day his former team-mate Frank Lampard made an emotional homecoming to Stamford Bridge, Cole confirmed the decision to hang up his boots following a glittering career that saw the defender win 13 major titles.

And the Blues are planning to discuss a potential return to the club for a player who, at one stage, was widely-recognised as the best left-back in the world.

Chelsea have made no secret of their ploy to see the players who altered the face of their history during the Roman Abramovich era return to in some capacity once their playing days are over.