With his return to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea’s temporary manager for the end of the current campaign, Frank Lampard is poised to complete a stunning recovery.
According to the PA news agency, the 44-year-old has spoken with the West London team and is close to finalizing his comeback, which might happen in time for Saturday’s game against Wolves.
Graham Potter was fired by Chelsea on Sunday after another costly loss to Aston Villa dropped them to 11th place in the Premier League. As a permanent replacement is unlikely to be found before the season is out, an unexpected reunion with the team’s all-time leading scorer has been arranged.
After landing his dream job as Chelsea manager in July 2019, Lampard—a prolific scorer for the Blues between 2001 and 2014—was fired 18 months later after a 10-match losing streak marred a promising debut year. He later took over Everton, however he was fired in January after less than a year in that position.
As the search for a permanent appointment got underway, PA understands that one prospective front-runner for the position, former Spain coach Luis Enrique, traveled to London on Wednesday to speak with club executives. The in-demand Julian Nagelsmann, who was recently fired by Bayern Munich, is also considered a contender, but there may be contractual issues to work out.
Foreshadowing Lampard’s return in a more official capacity, he was present for Chelsea’s goalless draw with Liverpool on Tuesday, their first game following Potter’s dismissal.
Jamie Redknapp, a cousin of Lampard, thinks that given the current situation, the decision makes sense for both parties. The former midfielder for Liverpool and Tottenham even claimed it was conceivable to lead the Blues to Champions League success, emulating Lampard’s former teammate Roberto Di Matteo’s feat in 2012.
Redknapp said to Sky Sports, “He loves the club, nobody cares about the club or knows it more than he does.
If Chelsea were to choose him and Frank were to accept the position, this decision is a no-brainer. For him, it would be fantastic. For the owners to have a little breathing room, this would make sense.
If he accepts the position, Frank will consider this and consider the opportunity it presents to him. Many claim it’s nearly difficult for them to beat Real Madrid in their upcoming Champions League match (quarterfinal). Stranger things have happened in sports, but Roberto Di Matteo did it and succeeded in his role as interim manager.
The announcement of Lampard’s return comes after interim manager Bruno Saltor claimed Chelsea’s co-sporting directors had met with the team to discuss the club’s approach to finding a new manager.
At the team’s Cobham training facility on Monday, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart briefed the group on the circumstances surrounding Potter’s dismissal and the team’s immediate future intentions.
The two are in charge of the hiring process to choose Potter’s successor after only 31 games in charge.
According to Saltor, the club is eager to keep the playing staff informed of developments in the interim.