Keane targets Lampard in astonishing 'lucky' rant

Robin Bairner

• 15 Apr 2023 10:04 BST
• 2 min read

Chelsea interim manager Frank Lampard has been branded “lucky” by Manchester United legend Roy Keane.

There was widespread surprise when the ex-Blues midfielder was brought back to the club in a interim management capacity following the sacking of Graham Potter.

Lampard has already had a difficult spell in the hotseat at Stamford Bridge, when he was sacked to make way for Thomas Tuchel in January 2021, while his time in Everton ended with the Merseyside club battling against relegation from the Premier League.

Keane, whose spells in management with Sunderland and Ipswich have ended in similar disappointment, believes that the former England man is lucky to have landed on his feet again.

“Frank is a lucky boy. Frank has had some really good jobs, you need some luck in the game, but to go back in there?” he told The Overlap.

“Do I see Chelsea going on to win the Champions League or kicking on to get into the top four? I can't see it.

“Listen, it's a mad game we're involved with and they do have some quality players.

“Because they've brought so many players in it does take some time to gel, I don't think they've got that team spirit and unity at this moment in time…

“I think these players will take a long time to gel. When you bring so many players into your football club, it does take time for players to settle in. At Chelsea, managers don't get that time. They're at the door.”

Chelsea’s next manager: Who is the favourite?

Lampard is not expected to get the Chelsea job on a permanent basis, and his start to life back at the club has been inauspicious, with defeats against Wolves and Real Madrid in his opening two matches.

Former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, ex-Barcelona and Spain manager Luis Enrique and current Sporting CP boss Ruben Amorim are mong the leading candidates for the post.

Nagelsmann is presently the favourite ahead of Enrique, with Lampard third according to the bookmakers.