Frank Lampard is set to take over at Chelsea as interim manager
Frank Lampard is set to RETURN to Chelsea as interim manager until the end of the season, with club legend in advanced talks following Graham Potter’s sacking
- Lampard watched on as Chelsea played out a drab stalemate with Liverpool
- Chelsea were in advanced talks with club legend Lampard on Wednesday night
- The former Blues midfielder was sacked in January 2021 following a poor run
Frank Lampard is set to take over at Chelsea as interim manager until the end of the season
Lampard was in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to watch the Blues draw 0-0 with Liverpool in the first game of the post-Graham Potter era.
And Chelsea were in advanced talks with club legend Lampard on Wednesday night to return as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
After the former Brighton boss was sacked on Sunday, his former assistant Bruno Saltor took charge of first-team duties for the evening.
Now Chelsea have instead turned to Lampard, who was sacked as Everton manager earlier this year.
Frank Lampard was in attendance as Chelsea drew 0-0 with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge
It has been claimed that the Chelsea legend could make a sensational return to the dugout
Lampard’s last foray with Chelsea ended when he was sacked as manager following a home evisceration by Manchester City in January 2021. It was claimed then, in the club’s statement announcing the news, that ‘results and performances’ had not been of the requisite standard.
‘Results and performances have not met the club’s expectations,’ it read. ‘Leaving the club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement.’
Lampard steered Chelsea to a top-four finish and the FA Cup final in his first season as head coach, despite arriving back in the midst of a transfer embargo and being unable to bolster his squad.
After being afforded an array of new signings in his second signing, however, the legendary midfielder paid the price for a dismal run of five defeats in eight league games.
Supporters might note the irony, with the club in a similar place to when he departed. Thomas Tuchel replaced Lampard at Stamford Bridge shortly after his dismissal and went on to win the Champions League in his first half-season.
With Potter’s teams beset by the lack of a clinical edge and inability to put teams away, Chelsea supporters experienced more of the same on Tuesday night as their vast array of attackers missed a gluttony of presentable chances.
The home crowd thought they had taken a seemingly deserved lead in the second period, only for Kai Havertz’s ricocheted effort to be ruled out for handball.
Saltor, speaking after the game, said it had been ‘difficult’ for him to enjoy the evening, his first taste of senior management.
Bruno Saltor took charge of his first game as interim boss as he watched his side squander a number of chances
‘It’s been a really difficult 48 hours for everyone because it’s not the first time the players have been in this situation this season and they have suffered,’ he said.
‘As a player you invest a lot in the manager. They had a great relationship with Graham and he has been really supportive with them after leaving.
‘It was truly difficult for me to enjoy tonight. It’s been a really sad time but I’ve just been trying to focus on being the best version of myself to help the boys.’
Asked whether he expected to stay or not, he responded: ‘As it stands I just expect to go home to rest and focus on hour by hour, day by day.
‘The owner know the staff are going to be as professional as we can. We try to represent this club the best we can. We know the standards here and what is demanded.’
Source: Read Full Article