FORMER England star Joe Cole insists he owes the Sky Blues everything for re-igniting his passion for football and has put the League One club top of the list when he returns home from America later this year.
The 34-year-old has confirmed this week that he is heading to America this summer to sign for North American Soccer League side Tampa Bay Rowdies in Florida.
It brings to an end his seven-month spell at the Ricoh Arena but Cole is planning on returning to England during the American mid-season break and he hinted that the Sky Blues chapter in his career could be far from over.
“Who’s to say that that’s the end of the story?” Cole told the Observer.
“I’m coming back from America for three-four months, I’ve spoken to the gaffer and although it’s a long way off, a lot can happen between now and then but I’m comfortable at Coventry.
“The club has taken me in with open arms, the fans, the manager and the players so who’s to say the story ends here. The way they’ve taken to me the club will always be in my heart now and who knows what’s round the corner.
“I can’t thank the manager enough for having faith in me and keeping me fit. I knew if I was in the right environment, given the right training schedule and given the right manager I could play games.
“The manager made the right call and I’d love to work with him again in the future. When I come back for those three-four months Coventry will be right at the top of my list.”
Given Cole’s illustrious CV, which includes three Premier League titles, three FA Cups, two League Cup medals and ten goals in over 50 appearances for England, it was no surprise to see him become an instant hit with Sky Blues supporters.
The former West Ham, Chelsea and Liverpool player scored two goals in 23 appearances for the Sky Blues and after narrowly missing the play-offs this time around, Cole wants to deliver some long overdue success to the club’s long-suffering supporters.
“The punters have been great with me right from the start,” Cole added. “You could sense that the fans have been starved of success.
“But the fans have finally got a team that they can be proud of this season which is something to be positive about.
“Every fan will say that they deserve a bit of success but these fans, my God, they’ve been waiting a long time for even a top six finish.
“The away support was unbelievable. I enjoyed every game I played for Coventry but some the away games when the fans got behind you, you could feel that it is a big club – a one club city.
“They do need success but I do feel this season was a real push forward from the seasons before.
“I’d like to say thank you to the club and it’s fans for helping me regain my love of football. “I’m sure we’ll come across each other again because I’d like to be part of bringing success back to this club.”
