Frank Lampard becomes the new Chelsea manager

Chelsea finally find their new manager in the form of former player, Frank Lampard.

Frank Lampard has gone back where it all started, sort of, and has become the new Chelsea manager. He became a club legend during the decade plus time as a player and faces a new role as club manager.

As is the norm nowadays, Chelsea announced his appointment through their Twitter alongside a timeline of his time at the club.

https://twitter.com/ChelseaFC/status/1146712290676359168

Lampard joins Chelsea leaving Championship side, Derby County, after one season. During his time at the helm, he led Derby County to the playoffs, ultimately losing to Aston Villa. He was also involved in the infamous “spygate” with Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United.

But now he returns to Chelsea with a big task ahead of him. A challenge that he is looking to take head-on despite the lack in experience.

Written in The Guardian, Lampard says, “My playing career is done. When I started out in management one year ago, I was starting again. I always love a challenge. Coming here was a challenge as people were questioning on the radio, whether I could come here and play for £11m.

There are always marks or steps in your career where questions are asked of you, no matter who you are and as a player I really liked that. I liked a challenge and I’m getting that again and it is not a problem.”

A challenge is definitely what awaits for him at Chelsea. For some, his inexperience is already a disadvantage. But he finds himself even further behind as Chelsea face an uncertain future with regards to their looming transfer ban. The club has appealed their ban and await further news. Fortunately for them and Lampard, while they await a final decision, they can still sign players. That explains how they were able to make Mateo Kovacic’s loan from Real Madrid permanent.

Nevertheless, it’s a hindrance for a club who needs to strengthen an aging side and to make up for the loss of Eden Hazard.

Hiring Frank Lampard is a way to appease the fan base but also a gamble to try to find a long-term solution as manager. During his time as Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich has gone through his fair share of managers. From Jose Mourinho, twice, to Rafa Benitez and most recently Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri.

Chelsea can no longer afford a one-and-done with managers and making them go away when it isn’t working out and simply pay off the rest of their contract.

Lampard was always on their short list and the likeliest candidate to take over. Being a club legend, Chelsea hope that as a manager, he has a longevity to rival that of his Chelsea playing career.