FRANK LAMPARD completed his shock return to Chelsea as caretaker manager – and hinted he could take the job permanently.
The Blues confirmed Lampard’s appointment on Thursday afternoon following the sacking of Graham Potter last weekend.
Out of a job since his Everton axing in January, Lampard, 44, will oversee the club’s final nine games of the Premier League campaign, as well as Champions League quarter final against Real Madrid.
In the meantime, American owner Todd Boehly will carry out an “exhaustive” recruitment process.
Asked whether this is strictly until the end of the season, regardless of results, Lampard said: “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.
“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.
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“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.”
Following a 13-year playing career at Chelsea that included three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League, Lampard managed the club for 19 months from June 2019 to January 2021.
He was replaced by Thomas Tuchel, whose first game in charge was a 0-0 draw against Wolves. In a full circle moment, Lampard is now back on the touchline away at Wolves on Saturday with the club in 11th and 14 points off the top four.
Lampard was seen at Stamford Bridge watching Chelsea’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool on Tuesday night, a visit he planned weeks in advance and said he had not been approached before kick-off.
However, SunSport revealed that evening that Chelsea were considering hiring Lampard.
Asked why he has returned, Lampard added: “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 Boehly read: “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.”
