Chelsea's Lampard successor 'approved' by record signing

Stuart Telford

• 11 Apr 2023 18:28 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea are 'close' to naming former Enzo Fernandez mentor Marcelo Gallardo as Frank Lampard's long-term successor as manager, according to reports in South America.

Lampard returned to Chelsea as caretaker manager last week following Graham Potter's dismissal, and will be in charge until the end of the season, at which point Todd Boehly and Co. plan to appoint a long-term successor.

Lampard might get the job on a permanent basis, although he could likely need a Champions League win, while some of the biggest names in world football, from Jose Mourinho to Carlo Ancelotti, have also been linked.

READ: From Conte to Mourinho: Every manager linked to Chelsea job

Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique are the bookies' favourites, but Gallardo - who most recently led River Plate to their record 37th Primera Division title - has hitherto gone under the radar.

But Brazilian internet giant Universo Online claim that a deal for Gallardo is "close."

Enzo 'gives go-ahead' for Gallardo

"Information collected in [Buenos Aires] indicates that [Gallardo] is indeed close to taking over Chelsea and former pupil Enzo Fernandez, whom they signed two months ago for €120 million.

"Enzo has obviously already given the go-ahead for Gallardo, whom he practically considers like a father, to step in for interim manager Frank Lampard once the season is over."

READ: James Corden told Boehly to hire Lampard as Chelsea interim boss

How much sway Fernandez has at Chelsea is debatable, but if reports that James Corden advised Boehly to appoint Lampard are to be believed, Chelsea's record signing having a say on the next managerial appointment seems eminently plausible.

Fernandez was central to that 2021 Primera Division win under Gallardo in 2021 before securing a €44.3 million move to Benfica last summer.

After winning the World Cup with Argentina in December, Chelsea made him a British record transfer when they agreed to meet his Benfica release clause in January.

Gallardo has been out of work since December and reportedly considered moving to the USA at the start of this year in a bid to improve his English.