Jorginho’s Lampard verdict as ex-Chelsea manager’s comments come full circle

Chelsea's Jorginho believes former manager Frank Lampard may have taken the leap too early in his career.

The Blues legend was sacked in January after just 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

His status at the club no doubt played a role in him being offered the top job despite having just one year of managerial experience with Derby County.

Lampard secured a top four finish in his first year but then, following heavy investment, was unable to oversee considerable improvements.

Jorginho told ESPN: "Look, I'll be really sincere here on Lampard. I believe, given he was a legend at the club, he skipped some steps necessary for learning before moving to a big club."

"He came to a club where he is a legend, without having experience at other clubs. I think he came too soon, skipped a few steps ahead and wasn't ready for a job at this level, to be honest."

The Italian's comments make for ironic reading given the criticism Lampard once dished out to former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese coach, who was on Jose Mourinho's coaching staff, was hired by Roman Abramovich in 2011.

Villas-Boas lasted just nine months before being shown the door having reportedly got on the wrong side of senior players like Lampard, who later claimed he had taken the job too early.

"AVB had played his cards and it hadn't worked," Lampard told The Sun in 2014. "I don't know if he was too young or whether it had come too early for him."

Chelsea would go on to win the Champions League just months later with Roberto Di Matteo at the helm.

Lampard later dismissed suggestions that player power had been a factor in Villas-Boas' short-lived west London tenure.

The Portuguese's win percentage of just 48 is the lowest of any permanent manager appointed by Abramovich – Lampard's stood at 52 per cent.

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