Makelele returns to Chelsea to take up coaching role

Ex-Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has returned to the club as a technical mentor to young players. 

The 46 year-old spent five seasons at Chelsea between 2003 and 2008 including during Jose Mourinho's first spell at the club and made a total of 217 appearances. His final game for the club was the 2008 Champions League final penalty shootout defeat to Manchester United in Moscow, but he did win two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup and two League Cups. 

Now Makelele will spend most of his time at Chelsea's training ground at Cobham where he will work with the club's academy players. 

His role also involves external visits to clubs which include Chelsea loan players so that he can keep an eye on their progress as well as providing regular match feedback. 

Claude Makelele was delighted to return to the Blues. "This club gave me a lot and now I want to give back and help the young Chelsea players dreaming of a career in football. I want to use all my experience to help them become professionals in every aspect and I am looking forward to getting started," the Frenchman told the club's website. 

Club director Marina Granovskaia added that Makelele "will be a valuable asset to both our Academy and first-team coaching staff."

The signing of Makelele once again highlights the important role ex-players are playing at Chelsea. Lampard, Cech, Jody Morris, Cudicini, Paulo Ferreira and Tore Andre Flo all also work at the club in some capacity. 

 

August 2, 2019