After Frank Lampard finalized his surprising comeback to Chelsea as Caretaker coach, he has indicated that he could take the job on a permanent basis.
Chelsea revealed the appointment of Frank Lampard on Thursday afternoon after Graham Potter was dismissed last Sunday.
Jobless since he was fired by Everton in January after only 12 months as manager of the side, Lampard would take charge of the team’s remaining nine matches of the Premier League season.
He would also manage the Blues in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final battle against Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge and the Santiago Bernabeu.
Currently, Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali put out a statement indicating that they would carry out an “exhaustive” recruitment process as the hunt for a permanent manager continues.
Questioned on if the deal is basically till the expiration of the campaign, irrespective of results, Frank Lampard stated: “No, but I think the role and the explanation speaks for itself in the period I am here for.
“I’m not getting anywhere ahead of myself. I want to do the best possible role and impact the club in the best way. After that, we will see what happens.
“I don’t need answers to that point. I have taken that under the conditions.
“My only focus can be this. The feeling I have from the club, rightly so, is that they want to do a process to find the right person to take the club forward whoever that might be.
The Englishman added: “That is absolutely their prerogative. Maybe that is why I am here. Of course, it was a surprise, you never know the decision a club is going to make.
“But it is not for me to decide the club’s process and how they go about it.
“Now it is up to me to do well. After that, of course, it may mean I end up saying thank you very much, and at that point I will be very happy and say I have given everything and hopefully it is positive.”
After a 13-year playing career at the West London side that contained three English Premier League trophies, four FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League, the Chelsea legend coached the team for 19 months from June 2019 to January 2021.
After German Tactician Thomas Tuchel replaced him after his ouster, his first taste of action in the Premier League was a goalless stalemate against Wolves.
Lampard’s first game after his return is against Wolves
Frank Lampard is also back on the touchline as Chelsea visit Wolverhampton to play against Julian Lopetegui’s Wolves on Saturday with the team placed 11th and 14 points adrift of Champions League places.
The Englishman was at Stamford Bridge gazing at Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Tuesday night, a visit he prepared several weeks ago and stated he had not been met ahead of the game.
But the Sun established on Tuesday that Chelsea were interested in hiring Frank Lampard.
Why Lampard made a comeback to Chelsea?
Questioned on why he has made a comeback to the team, Lampard continued: “It was a pretty easy decision to make. This is my club. I have a lot of emotions and feelings towards the club.
“I’ve been on a different path since I left Chelsea but to come back at a time where the club have asked me to take the role, that’s the most important thing.
“I didn’t think I would never be in this seat again. I’m a confident person.
“I’m delighted to get the opportunity and I want to be thankful for that. I have a good understanding of the squad.
“But also, the training ground, the stadium, the fans, what Chelsea fans want and I’ll do my utmost in this period to give them what they want with my own hard work.”
A statement from co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali read: “We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge, Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club.
“As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season.
“We want to give ourselves every chance of success and Frank has all of the characteristics and qualities we need to drive us to the finish line.”
