Frank Lampard leaves Derby County to become new Chelsea head coach
As expected, Frank Lampard has finally been confirmed as the new head coach of Chelsea, as he returns to the club where he became a legend as a player.
The move sees Lampard leave Sky Bet Championship club Derby County, where he spent his first season in management, guiding The Rams to the play-off final where they were beaten 2-1 by Aston Villa.
The 41-year-old has agreed a three-year contract, as he returns to Chelsea where he enjoyed 13 years as a player, in which time be became the Premier League club's record all time goal scorer with 211 goals.
Lampard said: "I am immensely proud to be returning to Chelsea as head coach. Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead.
"I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started."
🔵👑 Chelsea royal Frank Lampard was a winner as a player at Stamford Bridge...
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) July 4, 2019
🏆 Premier League x 3
🏆 Champions League
🏆 FA Cup x 4
🏆 League Cup x 2
🏆 Europa League
🏟️ 648 games
⚽️ 211 goals
🗳️ VOTE! Will he now lead #CFC to a trophy in his first season as boss?
The former England midfielder has voted Player of the Year three times during his time at Stamford Bridge and fans have continue to sing his name regularly since he left in 2014.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: "Frank possesses fantastic knowledge and understanding of the club and last season, he demonstrated he is one of the most talented young coaches in the game.
"After 13 years with us as a player, where he became a club legend and our record goalscorer, we believe this is the perfect time for him to return and are delighted he has done so."
Lampard's assistant Jody Morris and first team coach Chris Jones at Derby will also move to Stamford Bridge, with Derby confirming a compensation agreement has been agreed between the two clubs.
Lampard won 24 of his 56 games in charge of the Midlands club in his first campaign as a manager. 17 draws and 15 losses meant he enjoyed a 43 percent win ratio as he guided the club to a sixth place finish and a place in the play-off final at Wembley.
🔵🙌 Frank Lampard scored a club-record 211 goals during his 13 glorious seasons as a player with Chelsea.
— Sporting Life Football (@SportingLifeFC) July 4, 2019
🚀 And this was one of his best...#CFC @ChelseaFCpic.twitter.com/qi3xbOOO4x
Derby County’s Executive Chairman, Mel Morris CBE, said: “Frank, along with Jody and Chris, leave with our best wishes and I sincerely hope they have success at Chelsea.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Frank and while we would have loved his time at Derby County to continue, to build on the positives we saw last season, the opportunity for him to return to Chelsea as their Head Coach was huge.
“As a club, we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Chelsea recently and would like that to continue moving forward.”
Over to you, boss! #WelcomeHomeFrank pic.twitter.com/vPGpCUSsMX
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 4, 2019
Lampard added: “I would like to say a special thank you to Mel Morris, the players, staff and everyone who is associated with Derby County Football Club.
“It has been a fantastic experience for me, and I feel privileged to have managed such a prestigious club.
“Most of all, I want to thank the fans who supported me and the team from the day I arrived in the City. I wish everyone the best of luck going forward.”
Former Netherlands international Philip Cocu is expected to replace Lampard at Derby, believed to already be set to sign a four-year contract.
Lampard at Chelsea
- Seasons: 2001-02 to 2013-14
- Appearances: 648
- Goals: 211
Honours:
- Premier League: 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10
- FA Cup: 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2011-12
- League Cup: 2004-05, 2006-07
- Champions League: 2011-12
- Europa League: 2012-13
- Community Shield: 2005, 2009
- Premier League player of the season: 2004-05
- Premier League player of the month: x4
- FIFA player of the year silver award: 2005
- Ballon d'Or silver award: 2005
- FWA footballer of the year: 2005
- Chelsea player of the year: 2004, 2005, 2009
Records:
- Most goals for Chelsea - 211
- Most consecutive Premier League appearances - 164
Lampard as a manager
Derby, 2018 to date
- Games: 57
- Won: 24
- Drew: 17
- Lost: 16
- Goals for: 90
- Goals against: 70
- Win percentage: 42.1
- Championship play-off final: 2018-19
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