Ashley Cole may have burned many bridges when he left Arsenal for Chelsea in 2006, but the iconic former England defender is still in touch with many colleagues
11:42, 17 Mar 2026Updated 11:44, 17 Mar 2026
Ashley Cole speaking in an interview
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Ashley Cole has opened up about the figures he is still in communication with(Image: YouTube/beIN Sports)
Ashley Cole has revealed he is still in an Arsenal Invincibles WhatsApp group chat despite turning his back on the club to join Chelsea in 2006. The iconic left-back made this revelation shortly after being granted his first managerial role.
Cole, 45, was recently appointed as the boss of second division Italian side Cesena. After his unveiling, he offered an insight into his life in football, including who he still keeps in touch with.
One of those is former Arsenal boardroom chief David Dein, who did his utmost to keep Cole at Highbury but failed. Despite Cole's bitter exit, which saw him move to Stamford Bridge for £5m with William Gallas going the other way, he is still on good terms with many of his ex-Arsenal colleagues
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Speaking to the i Paper, Cole said: "We’re all in a WhatsApp group with David Dein, Mr Wenger, all the players. I meet Thierry not a lot, but we’re always talking about football.
"I’ve had my own life and our family so I don’t get much time to interact with them but there were moments in my life when I needed them.”
Dein has regularly spoken about his regret for Cole's departure two decades ago. At Highbury, Cole lifted two Premier League titles and three FA Cups, before going on to lift another Premier League title, the Champions League, the Europa League and four more FA Cups with the Blues.
Ashley Cole, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry of Arsenal with the FA Cup Trophy after the FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea on May 4, 2002 in Cardiff, Wales
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Cole still talks to many of his ex-Arsenal colleagues(Image: 1990 The Arsenal Football Club Plc)
Cole became an equally integral part of the west Londoners, forming a trophy winning spine also including Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. However, when it comes to the best player he's ever competed with, Cole cannot look away from Thierry Henry.
He added: "Thierry Henry. I’m not saying it lightly. I came into an Arsenal team that was full of stars, but some of the stuff I saw on the training pitch with him was just incredible.
"Not just the amazing player he was, but as a great person – that counts for a lot. I’ve been lucky to play with Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, David Seaman.
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"They did a lot for me. Tony Adams, Martin Keown also added to that character that I had from my upbringing – when I played for Arsenal I needed people like that to lead me.”
Cole is now readying himself for one of the biggest challenges of his football career. Cesena are currently 8th in Serie B and have not won a match in seven games, with their 2-0 victory over Pescara in February being the last time they scooped up three points.
Cole has experience managing the Chelsea youth side and has also worked as assistant manager to Lee Carsley in the England U21s and to Frank Lampard at Everton and the Blues. However, Cesena is his first senior management role and given their recent poor form, he may need to hit the ground running.
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