Frank Lampard is considering bringing in Ashley Cole as part of his coaching team at Everton.
The former Chelsea manager will succeed Rafa Benitez at Goodison Park after agreeing a two-and-a-half-year deal over the weekend.
His squad will immediately be boosted by the loan signing of Donny van de Beek from Manchester United, who opted for Merseyside ahead of Crystal Palace.
But Lampard has prioritised putting together a backroom staff to help ensure he succeeds in his third managerial appointment.
Chelsea assistant Joe Edwards is set to join him, but another of his former coaches at Stamford Bridge, Anthony Barry, is expected to remain part of Thomas Tuchel’s setup.
Chris Jones, who Lampard worked with at Derby, will join up with him at Everton, while Carlo Ancelotti’s former Chelsea and Real Madrid assistant manager Paul Clement is also set to be offered a role.
But Lampard has identified Cole as a potential member of his staff and it is understood he was one of the first names on his list when drawing up his backroom team before his appointment.
Cole is currently working with Chelsea’s academy and is also assistant coach for England’s Under-21s.
He has made it clear he wants to make the step into management and, if he does take up a more senior role, Lampard would offer him the chance to further his development.
Lampard signed the terms of his new contract on Sunday and his first game in charge will be against Brentford in the FA Cup on the coming weekend.
The legendary former Chelsea and England midfielder was sacked by Roman Abramovich last January after a mid-season slump that saw his side drop from the top of the table to ninth.
Standard Sport revealed earlier this month that he was seen as a back-up to Everton’s first choice to be their next manager, Roberto Martinez. Failure to prise the Spaniard away from Belgium opened the door to Lampard.
