Former Hammer Joe Cole has passed his UEFA A license coaching badge. The licence is one level below the UEFA Pro Licence and allows holders to be head coaches of youth teams up to age 18, reserve teams (also known as ‘B’ teams) for top-flight clubs, and men’s professional second-tier clubs.

The former West Ham player posted the news on social media saying ‘Buzzing… A -License’

Two days ago Cole has played down talk of taking up a potential coaching position at West Ham by revealing he has had ‘no contact’ from new Hammers boss David Moyes and admitting he would find it tough to leave his role as a TV pundit.

Cole told BT Sport, who he joined at the start of this season and worked for in a post-match interview with Moyes after West Ham beat Gillingham in the FA Cup: ‘There’s been no contact – nothing.’

Another report suggests that an approach could still come despite interest in former Everton defender Alan Stubbs.