... Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew should take some of the blame for the club's inability to sign Loic Remy on a permanent basis.
Cole believes that Pardew's clash with Hull City's David Meyler, when he was seen headbutting the midfielder in March, could be a reason for the French forward's decision to leave Newcastle.
"It makes it easier to leave. What happened last season was absolutely crazy – not just with what happened with the players, but with Alan Pardew getting roped into the situation with the player at Hull and getting sent off.
"You look at that and think a manager should not get himself into that position.
"You wouldn't tell your players to go on like that, then he ends up doing it."