‘Back then, the media needed to be fed with pictures of the girls going for a run or something like that, and it was going on the front page’ Joe Cole looks back on how the press created the 2006 WAG culture

Joe Cole
Joseph John Cole, Joseph John "Joe" Cole
Get notified whenever this star has news
Browse by day
Who is this?
Joseph John Cole (born 8 November 1981) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder or winger. He was long touted as a child prodigy and as the hottest prospect in English football, with Manchester United reportedly offering to pay £10 million for his services as a 16-year-old. Cole started his career with West Ham United, where, after breaking into the first team in January 1999, he played more than 120 Premier League games over five seasons. He was one of a number of players who left West Ham in the summer of 2003, after the club had been relegated to the Football League First Division, with Cole signing for Chelsea. He spent seven seasons at Chelsea, playing over 280 games in all competitions and winning seven trophies, including three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup. He left Chelsea on a free transfer in July 2010 to join Liverpool, who a year later loaned him to Lille. After a season in France, he returned to Liverpool before re-joining West Ham in January 2013. He signed for Aston Villa in June 2014, then joined Coventry City on loan in October 2015, joining on a permanent deal in January 2016. Capped by England at under-16, under-18 and under-21 level, Cole was a full international between 2001 and 2010, capped by the England national team on 56 occasions, scoring 10 goals. He was selected for the England squad at the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups and Euro 2004. After retirement in 2018, Cole took up a coaching role at Chelsea.
Career
- 1981Born
- 1997Joined England national under-16 association football team
- 1998Joined West Ham United F.C.
- 1999Joined England national under-18 association football team
- 2000Joined England national under-21 association football team
- 2001Joined England men's national association football team
- 2003Joined Chelsea F.C.
- 2010Joined Liverpool F.C.
- 2011Joined Lille OSC
- 2013Joined West Ham United F.C.
- 2014Joined Aston Villa F.C.
- 2015Joined Coventry City F.C.
- 2016Joined Coventry City F.C.
- 2016Joined Tampa Bay Rowdies
Trivia
- •Place of birth: London
- •Citizenship: United Kingdom
- •Known as: association football player, association football coach
- •Sport: association football
- •Spouse: Carly Cole
What happened recently
Mexico v England tips: Kane to rule the Azteca in Joe Cole’s 48/1 World Cup Bet Builder
Joe Cole labels Croatia's ruled-out equalizer against Portugal 'one of the worst decisions ever' at a FIFA World Cup as Ronaldo's side enter Ro16
Joe Cole and Ashley Cole on Mourinho's Real Madrid re-appointment and Alonso at Chelsea
Joe Cole Celebrates with Locals as Margate Pub is Awarded a Huge Upgrade Ahead of Summer of Football
Joe Cole: Chelsea ‘insanity’ exposed by Alonso appointment as BlueCo told to sign two free agents
'Peaky Blinders' star Joe Cole and director Clio Barnard on class, masculinity and modern Britain
“I’d love to see” – Joe Cole reveals who he wants Chelsea to appoint as next head coach
Joe Cole interview: ‘Winning the FA Cup is crucial for Chelsea. It can help settle things down’
“Simple as that” – Joe Cole delivers scathing criticism of Chelsea after Champions League exit
‘He Bled Neon’ Review: Joe Cole and Rita Ora Trudge Through a Clichéd, Poseur Crime Story
Joe Cole tells Chelsea the “sky’s the limit” for player “who could be anything,” fans will be surprised
Joe Cole points finger at three ‘awful’ Liverpool players after Brentford defeat
Joe Cole claims Benfica were”petrified” of “outstanding” Chelsea star who was “everywhere”
Joe Cole will be shocked if Chelsea do not sign 'young Alan Shearer' this summer