5 managers who signed their former teammates
It's natural for football players to want to move into coaching once they hang up their boots. Plenty of footballing legends have called it a day on their playing careers only to go ahead and learn the ropes of coaching and management.
Great players needn't become great managers
It definitely is a different ballgame altogether. The best footballers don't always make the best managers. Jose Mourinho didn't have much of a professional career but he is one of the best managers of all time.
So when a player joins the dugout in the capacity of a manager, he could definitely do with a bit of familiarity. Maybe that's the reason why some managers have chosen to sign their former teammates at their new clubs.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five managers who signed their former teammates.
#5 Thierry Henry - Cesc Fabregas (AS Monaco)
Thierry Henry's work as assistant coach of the Belgian national side was noticed by AS Monaco, who offered him the managerial position in October 2018. The legendary striker didn't last long and was sacked after just three months.
However, in the January 2019 transfer window, he roped in Cesc Fabregas. The Spaniard is one of Henry's favorite teammates from his latter years at Arsenal. But this reunion may have slipped under the radar owing to the fact that Henry was sacked just 13 days after Fabregas joined the club.
Thierry Henry is ready to punish Cesc Fàbregas if necessary 👀 https://t.co/Wpy9XaDrak
#4 Frank Lampard - Ashley Cole (Derby County)
Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are two Premier League legends. They played together at Chelsea for eight years, winning one Premier League title, one Champions League, five FA Cups, one Europa League and one League Cup together.
After retiring, Lampard headed into coaching and landed his first job at Derby County. Tasked with leading the former giants back into the Premier League, Lampard did a decent job and led his side to the playoffs.
He signed his former teammate Ashley Cole as a free agent in January 2019. Cole retired at the end of the 2018-19 season and Lampard left Derby County to take up the managerial position at the duo's former club Chelsea.
In 12 appearances for Derby County under Lampard, Cole scored a goal and provided two assists.
Ashley Cole has scored his first ever FA Cup goal at the age of 38 for Derby under Frank Lampard!
(via @EmiratesFACup) https://t.co/7ceJpn4LnY