Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham's infamous feud, which simmered throughout their time together at Manchester United, finally ended with a handshake in a nightclub. The pair, who won the Treble together in 1999, had a bitter rivalry that began in 1995 when Sheringham snubbed Cole's handshake on England duty.
Cole later wrote in a 2010 column for The Independent: 'I don't even know the bloke, so he can't have any issue with me. We're fellow England players, it is my debut and he snubs me. From that moment on, I knew Sheringham was not for me.' Despite their personal animosity, they formed a successful on-pitch partnership, with Cole admitting he never spoke a single word to Sheringham during their four years at Old Trafford.
The feud escalated in 1998 after a draw with Bolton, when Sheringham blamed Cole for a goal. Cole recalled in his autobiography: 'Teddy turned around, looked me in the eyes and growled, "Their goal was your fault." I run up the tunnel and just as he gets to the dressing room, I'm ready to steam in.' Roy Keane intervened, first restraining Cole, then turning on Sheringham himself.
Years later, the pair met in a nightclub, where Sheringham initially feared a confrontation. Speaking to talkSPORT in 2023, he said: 'I thought, "Hello, this could turn a bit nasty." He walked over and said, "Ted, look, let's let bygones be bygones." He put his hand out and I was like, "Wow, I did not expect that Andy." I put my hand out and shook hands.'
