Frank Lampard: Chelsea’s new manager?

Today, Chelsea announced the departure of Maurizio Sarri who has signed a three-year contract with Serie A giants Juventus. Things aren’t going well for Chelsea as they already have a transfer ban and have lost Eden Hazard. Now, they are without a manager.

There were many reports suggesting that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wanted to announce Sarri’s departure after announcing his replacement. However, Sarri has left and Chelsea are yet to announce a new manager.

There are many managers who are reportedly in Chelsea’s shortlist for the managerial job. These include Erik ten hag, Rafa Benitez and Javi Gracia. However, the favorite to replace Sarri is perhaps Chelsea’s greatest player of all-time Frank Lampard.

Lampard has been the favvorite to replace Sarri for a long time now. The current Derby County manager who will turn 41 on Thursday could possible be a good option for Chelsea because of his longevity at the club. Lampard spent 13 years at Chelsea, making nearly 650 appearances for the club and netting 211 goals, a club record.

He has good understanding of the club’s culture which is something Chelsea need at this moment. Given that Chelsea are facing a transfer ban, Chelsea will require players from their youth setup to join and impress in the senior team.

Besides, Lampard had a fine stint with Derby County. He guided the club to the Championship playoffs where they reached the final, eventually losing to Aston Villa. Under Lampard, Derby managed to beat Manchester United in the EFL Cup on penalties and came agonisingly close to beating Chelsea.

However, the one thing that could play against Lampard is his managerial experience. Derby County is Lamaprd’s very first managerial assignment and that is not ample experience for someone who should manage Chelsea. Besides, Lampard doesn’t have much to show as Derby County couldn’t gain promotion. This is why few people including former Chelsea star Ruud Gullit feel Lampard isn’t ideal for the job.

However, the quality of players is indeed different in Derby County and Chelsea. In Chelsea, Lampard will be managing the likes of N’Golo Kante, Christian Pulisic, Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Callum Hudson-Odoi, just to name a few.

It has been proven on so many instances that a manager’s record depends upon the quality of players he/she is managing.

Hence, even though Lampard does not have substantial managerial experience, the fact that he will have good players at his disposal will should help become Chelsea’s next manager.

Provided Lampard does become Chelsea manager, he will be the first Englishman to permanently manage the club since Glenn Hoddle did from 1993-1996.

Besides, Lampard there are several other managers who are considered for the job. Here are the odds of them succeeding Maurizio Sarri.

See Also:

• Frank Lampard next Chelsea manager odds
• Chelsea FC next manager odds