Jamie Redknapp believes Frank Lampard returning to Chelsea as an interim manager would be a smart move from the club’s owners.
On Wednesday morning, it was reported that Chelsea were considering bringing Lampard back to Stamford Bridge until the end of the season as they take their time over finding Graham Potter’s replacement.
And by the evening, reports claimed that the Blues legend is now set to be back in the dugout with an official announcement expected soon.
One of, if not Chelsea’s greatest players of all-time, Lampard briefly took charge of the time from 2019 to 2021, but was sacked after a poor run of results, with Thomas Tuchel replacing him and famously winning the Champions League later that year.
The 44-year-old’s managerial career does not compare well to his playing days however, and the former England midfielder has bene out of work since January after getting sacked by Everton with the Toffees in the relegation zone.
Bruno Saltor took charge of Chelsea on Tuesday night when they drew 0-0 with Liverpool, with Lampard watching on from the stands.
‘I was at the game last night and I saw him in the crowd and he looked like a guy that hadn’t just gone there for a few drinks,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports.
‘He watched it in a very studious way and I started to think maybe they [Chelsea] might like at Frank as an option because there’s not many other managers right now. There’s a few managers they’re talking about. Obviously Nagelsmann’s had a mention but he looks like he wants some time away.
‘This might make sense for the owners just to have a bit of breathing space and give Frank the opportunity to get back in the game. He’s got unfinished business at Chelsea, he loves the club, nobody cares about that club or knows it better than he does.
‘I think this is a complete no brainer if Chelsea were to go for him and he’d take the job. I think it would be brilliant for him.
‘Obviously the players haven’t had good results, or many goals but you can see that there are real signs at that club and they’ve got a Champions League game to come at Real Madrid.
‘People will say its impossible. But Roberto Di Matteo did it, he won it as an interim manager. Stranger things have happened in football.’
Nagelsmann was the early frontrunner to take over at Chelsea, but in the last 24 hours Luis Enrique emerged as the new favourite with the former Barcelona boss reportedly in London for talks with Todd Boehly and co.
Though the Spaniard is currently unemployed he may not wish to start work until the summer, but the Blues board are keen to get a new manager in before the clash at Real Madrid next week.
And given Bruno’s complete inexperience as a manager, an interim makes a lot of sense as winning the Champions League may be the only way they qualify for any kind of European competition next season.
Should Lampard be appointed his first game in charge will be away to Wolves on Saturday before the trip to Madrid next Wednesday.
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