Derby manager Frank Lampard has dismissed any suggestion that he is a contender for the Chelsea managerial role amid Maurizio Sarri’s difficulties at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea lost 6-0 to Man City at the weekend leading some to question how much longer Chelsea’s notoriously trigger happy board will countenance more failure, though Lampard has reiterated his focus is entirely on Derby County.
Could Lampard be the next Blues boss? Here’s five things to know…
- Lampard played for Chelsea for 13 years, playing 648 times and scoring 211 goals in all competitions.
- He won 11 major trophies during his time there, including the Champions League and three Premier League titles.
- The 106-time capped England international took on his first managerial job at Derby County at the start of this season.
- The Rams are currently seventh in the Championship.
- Sarri’s job seems to be in trouble as he has been unable to fully implement a cohesive ‘Sarri-ball’ style, while he has often suggested he is uncomfortable with the club’s operational processes.
Derby take on relegation-threatened Ipswich Town on Wednesday, with a place in the play-off places or better within the sights of the former England midfielder.
“My job is here,” Lampard told a Derby media conference on Monday (via the Evening Standard).
“We’re working very hard and my thoughts are on Ipswich Town on Wednesday, and Brighton on Saturday.”
“With my Chelsea hat on, 13 years as a player there, you have a feeling for it and it’s not nice, it’s not easy. It doesn’t happen to Chelsea much so when it does it’s a shock.
“But they’re going up against an incredible team and I had some time at Manchester City as well. I have some feelings for them. The work Pep Guardiola and their incredible squad have done is something special.
“For Chelsea it was a tough day. With all top teams the important thing is you come back strong, no matter what type of defeat. What makes top teams is resilience and Chelsea as a club will have it.”
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Lampard the manager: How the former Premier League star holds up this season
Derby under Lampard have been good value in the Championship this season, winning 14, drawing eight and losing eight as they’ve embarked on a promotion push.
Not only has the former Chelsea man enjoyed some signature wins, none more so than an FA Cup third round replay win on penalties over Southampton, but he’s also carried himself well, speaking in such a way as to bely his commitment to the midlands club and the project there.
As a result, however, it’s not unconceivable that he could cope with the Chelsea job, with his knowledge of the club and relationship with current blues players.
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