MLS
Frank Lampard among finalists for Charlotte FC’s head coaching vacancy
The former Chelsea manager has been heavily linked with the job in MLS, with Charlotte FC reportedly interested.
Charlotte FC have a huge question mark hanging over their heads as the countdown for the 2024 season ticks on: despite being one of the youngest franchises in North America, the club want to find a manager to lead them to top end of the table. According to information from TopBin90, then reported by The Athletic, ex-Premier League bosses Frank Lampard and Dean Smith are among the finalists for the position.
Journalist Tom Bogert reported that both the manager who spent time on the benches of Chelsea, Everton and Derby County, along with Smith, who led clubs such as Aston Villa and Leicester City, head the list drawn up at the Bank of America Stadium. The details in the report claim that everything, from Charlotte’s point of view, must be closed by the end of December in order to start with the preparation of the 2024 campaign.
Lampard has MLS experience
It is worth taking into account that the Chelsea legend finished his career in MLS with New York City FC, so Lampard already knows the world in which he may once again be operating, this time from the dugouts. His case is similar, to some extent, to that of Wayne Rooney, another legendary former English player who spent time in MLS and later managed DC United. He is now at Birmingham City in England’s second division.
On the other hand, Dean Smith, who also spent time managing Brentford and Norwich, could be another interesting alternative for Charlotte. However, his last stint in the Premier League, an unsuccessful campaign with Leicester City, did not bear much fruit, meaning that another job in England’s top division looks an unlikely prospect. As such, the project of the North Carolina franchise could potentially be an attractive proposition attractive for the 52-year-old.
How did it go for Lampard last time out?
Lampard first turned up on the Chelsea bench in 2019, replacing the outgoing Mauricio Sarri, but was sacked after losing 23 times in 84 games. In Lampard’s first competitive game with Chelsea, the club lost 4–0 to Manchester United on the opening day of the 2019–20 Premier League, the biggest defeat for a Chelsea manager in their first game since 1978. He was soon replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who ended up winning the Champions League with the side that very season.
The man who became an icon of the Premier league for his long career and successful captaincy at Chelsea, returned to the Blues to become interim coach after Graham Potter’s departure at the beginning of April. The 45-year-old did not have much joy in changing the course of the team and by the end they looked hopeless with new owner Todd Boehly eventually sending him on his way and replacing him with Mauricio Pochettino.
Lampard then went on to manage Everton but was sacked with the side joint-bottom of the Premier League, ahead of bottom on goal difference, despite spending £84 million on new signings. Lampard took charge of 44 matches as Everton manager, winning 12, drawing eight and losing 24.