Frank Lampard returns to Chelsea as caretaker manager

Two years after he left the club, Chelsea have announced that club legend Frank Lampard will return to Stamford Bridge as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Lampard cemented his position as a Chelsea great during his time as a player at the club, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He returned as a manager in 2019 and secured a top four finish and FA Cup final appearances in his first season. He was dismissed in January 2021 after a poor start to the season.

In announcing Lampard’s return, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali released a statement welcoming him back to the club.

‘We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge. Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club,” it read.

“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.”

Lampard will take charge for the Premier League fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday, before a crucial Champions League clash the following week. Chelsea travel to Real Madrid for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with the reigning holders.

In his first press conference back as Chelsea boss, Lampard said he was excited to get started.

“When I’ve spoken to Paul [Winstanley] and Laurence [Stewart] over the past 24-48 hours and they put forward what this role is now, for me it was a decision that I knew that I had to come to,” he said.

“It’s a big challenge, but aren’t they all? I’m ready to put the work in for the challenge I have before me and I’ve got a clear idea of what I want to achieve in the coming months.”