Cole confirms retirement

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The 37-year-old joined his home-town club Nottingham Forest in the summer but failed to score in 11 appearances before his contract was cancelled two weeks ago.

On Tuesday Cole told The Times: "I wouldn't change a thing. I've lived the dream."

Cole's contract at Forest being cancelled prompted speculation he would call time on a playing career that brought him 289 goals, 15 England caps and a host of honours - including five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League winners' medal.

But it certainly was not a dream swansong for Cole at Forest, and he revealed his frustration at his treatment by manager Colin Calderwood.

"It's not the ideal ending," he continued. "It just wasn't working out. I told them from the outset that I didn't want to go there to sit on the bench, because I didn't want to be perceived as sitting back and making easy money.

"It was a strange one from the start. I never knew what my role was. Was it a PR thing, to sell a few more season tickets?

"I felt like the manager wouldn't have a conversation with me. I don't know if it's the right word, but he seemed kind of intimidated by me.

"(In September) I told him [Calderwood] that I wanted to go and that I would serve three months' notice if they wanted me to, which was in my contract.

"He said 'no, give it another month' - which I was prepared to do - and then suddenly, a few weeks later, the club start putting it around that they've sacked me or that I've walked out. I just wish Forest could have been honest."