Ashley Cole reveals he told Zlatan Ibrahimovic to 'put his f***ing hands down'

Ashley Cole has shared a brilliant anecdote from a dressing room row with Zlatan Ibrahimovic during their time at LA Galaxy.

The former Chelsea and England left-back and Swedish superstar overlapped for a short time in 2018 for the MLS club.

And during an appearance on A League of their Own, Cole was asked what it was like to work with Ibrahimovic.

The 40-year-old said: 'He has two personalities, with us in the dressing room he was brilliant, quiet, very humble but for the media he was God.

'He had moments where he would come in the dressing room and really let people know about their s*** touch, can't run, you're slow but in front of the media his persona changed.

When asked if Ibrahimovic had ever confronted him, Cole added: 'He tried to once, he did throw his hands in the air.

'And I said "Put your f***ing hands down", I'm deadly serious, honestly. I was thinking "you might have a little point, but don't put your hands up".'

Cole retired from playing in 2019 after a brief stint at Derby while the 39-year-old evergreen striker is still going strong at AC Milan.

He enjoyed a brilliant short spell up front in the MLS, scoring 52 goals in 56 matches for the franchise.

And the Hollywood backdrop to his career made for a match made in heaven for a short time. Upon arrival, Ibrahimovic took out a full page advertisement in the Los Angeles Times with the heading 'Dear Los Angeles, you're welcome.'

He was named captain in 2019 and although he could not lead the team to an MLS title, he finished the campaign with 26 goals, the most ever in a regular season campaign in the US.

Ibrahimovic then returned to AC Milan, where he remains this season, still competing at the very top in Serie A and the Champions League.

Cole, who hung up his boots as England's most capped full-back with 107 appearances, was regarded by many as the best left-back of his generation.

He now works with Chelsea's academy and as an assistant to England Under-21s manager Lee Carsley.