Frank Lampard has completed a return to the Stamford Bridge dugout as manager two years after his first tenure ended on unsavoury terms.
The 44-year-old is also making a return to management after he was sacked from Everton in January, just under a year of his taking up the role.
It was first reported that the former England international will be returning to his old stomping grounds to take charge of the club until the end of the season on Wednesday. On Thursday, the news was confirmed that the former Derby County boss will be taking charge of the Blues for the remaining games of the season.
However, Lampard’s contract is a short term one as the club intend to keep talking to other managers for the permanent position beginning next season.
Chelsea confirm Lampard appointment
A statement on Chelsea’s website read: Chelsea FC has announced that Frank Lampard has been named Caretaker Manager until the end of the season.
The move marks a return to Stamford Bridge for Frank who enjoyed an illustrious playing career with the Blues, winning the Premier League on three occasions and the UEFA Champions League in Munich. He managed the club for 84 games, including guiding us to an FA Cup final.
Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: “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.”
“We have an important game against Wolves on Saturday and then we will turn our attention to our Champions League quarter-final in Madrid next week. We are all going to give Frank our full backing as we aim to get the best possible outcome from all our remaining games.”
Chelsea fans on social media have not taken kindly to Lampard’s return as manager thanks to his shambolic spell at Everton and their memories of him as manager two seasons ago. They will, however, take solace in his experience as it gives him the upper hand over Saltor.
Lampard’s first game will be against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend and his next game will be the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter final fixture against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.
