James Corden told Boehly to hire Lampard as Chelsea interim boss

Tom Weber

• 10 Apr 2023 16:03 BST
• 3 min read

James Corden played a crucial role in Frank Lampard's appointment as Chelsea interim boss, if reports are to be believed.

Graham Potter was let go by Todd Boehly and company in the wake of Chelsea's embarrassing 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa. After Bruno Saltor, Potter's erstwhile assistant, took charge against Liverpool midweek, Frank Lampard was eventually brought back to the club on an interim basis to keep things ticking over while the search for a permanent manager is ongoing.

The appointment came as something of a surprise. Some were quick to point out Lampard's uninspiring coaching record, while others hailed it as a sensible decision considering Lampard's stature in the game. He is someone who will command respect from a dressing room that showed anything but to the "unknown" Potter.

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What did Corden do?

According to The Sun, TV star James Corden was involved in the decision-making process to bring Lampard back to Chelsea. Boehly and Corden, claims the controversial paper, "have become mates" and the former gave the American his opinion on who ought to be Potter's successor. The proposal of noted West Ham fan Corden, who is also "mates" with Lampard, won out.

In his first game in charge, Lampard watched his side fall to a disappointing 1-0 away loss that saw the Blues manage just one shot on target. After the match, Lampard asked for patience: "I did not expect to solve everything in one day." Indeed, the appointment came also as a surprise to him: "Four or five days ago, I was planning different stuff. That part was surreal."

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"Being Chelsea manager," Lampard said, "does not feel different to me. I’m not taking it lightly but it has been my club for a long time, so I appreciate being back. I am disappointed I could not give the fans a win on my first game back."