Easy decision to return to Chelsea as caretaker manager, says Frank Lampard
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Former Chelsea player and manager Frank Lampard is seen before the match between Chelsea and Liverpool on April 4.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Frank Lampard insisted it was an “easy decision” to make his surprise return to Chelsea as caretaker manager until the end of the season on Thursday, just over two years after he was sacked by the English Premier League club.
Lampard, Chelsea’s record goalscorer, previously managed the Blues from July 2019 to January 2021, when he was replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
The 44-year-old’s unexpected move back to Stamford Bridge came after Tuchel’s successor Graham Potter was dismissed on Sunday.
“As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season,” Chelsea’s joint-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said in a statement.
Former England midfielder Lampard had been out of a job since January, when he was sacked by relegation-threatened Everton after less than a year in charge.
Lampard claimed he did not have to swallow his pride to return to Chelsea despite his brutal exit during Roman Abramovich’s reign as owner. The Blues legend had a 13-year spell as a Premier League and Champions League-winning Chelsea player.
“It’s a pretty easy decision for me. This is my club. I have a lot of emotions and feelings,” said Lampard. “It’s a big challenge, but aren’t they all? I have complete sympathy for all managers that lose jobs... I’ve come with a belief I can come and help the cause until the end of the season.”
Chelsea have nine league games remaining this season, starting with Saturday’s trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is followed by the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against holders Real Madrid.
Lampard guided Chelsea to the 2020 FA Cup final, which ended in a 2-1 loss to Arsenal, during his previous managerial spell at the club.
Chelsea are languishing in 11th in the table, 14 points adrift of the top four, despite having spent more than £500 million (S$826.9 million) on new players this season.
As the search for a permanent replacement for Potter heats up, ex-Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique reportedly flew into London on Wednesday for talks.
Julian Nagelsmann, sacked recently by Bayern Munich, is also thought to be a contender, along with former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino. AFP
