Frank Lampard has ruled out the possibility of staying at Chelsea to be part of incoming manager Mauricio Pochettino’s coaching staff. The Chelsea legend returned to the Stamford Bridge dugout as an interim manager following the sacking of Graham Potter, but seven defeats in nine games and just one win meant his chances of getting the job on a permanent basis were ruined. When asked about the prospect of staying in west London to help rebuild the Blues after their worst Premier League season in history, the 44-year-old flat out denied that it could happen.
“No. A new manager will come in and bring his own coaches, I’m sure,” he said. Chelsea were once again flat and largely uninspired in the 1-0 loss at the Etihad, despite going up against a much-changed Manchester City side that had already won the league title. Lampard has warned the players that if they are to improve and challenge the likes of the Citizens next season, they themselves must step up.
“It’s in their hands. I can’t say. I got asked how long will it take, we don’t know,” he added when asked what the squad can achieve in the future. “It’s down to the players themselves that we have. For the club it will be down to the direction we take it forward, for the new coach. This Premier League is getting tougher.”
Lampard and Chelsea have just two games left this season to salvage some pride, against high-flying Manchester United and Newcastle.