Lampard 'on shortlist' for SURPRISE next job after Chelsea exit
Cameron Smith
- 12 Sept 2023 15:33 BST
- 4 min read
Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is reportedly on Olympique Lyonnais’ managerial shortlist as they seek to find a replacement for Laurent Blanc, who was sacked on Monday.
Blanc was fired with Lyon rock bottom in Ligue 1, with just one point from their opening four league fixtures.
The French giants have scored a league-low three goals, while they have conceded 10 goals - the joint-worst along with fellow strugglers Lens. Both sides finished inside the top half last season, with Lens achieving Champions League qualification thanks to their second-place finish.
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Lyon ultras gave the players a dressing down following their 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain before the international break, with the first-team squad informed to not ‘tarnish’ the club’s shirt.
The Ligue 1 side’s pursuit for Blanc’s successor begun before he was officially relieved of his duties, with Graham Potter turning down a proposal to become the club’s new manager after a meeting with Lyon owner John Textor.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion and Swansea manager was sacked by Chelsea last season, with Lampard stepping in as interim boss until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
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Now, Lyon have identified Lampard as a possible candidate to fill the vacant role as their manager, according to 90min.
The outlet states that Textor respects Chelsea’s all-time record goal-scorer immensely and would be keen to appoint the Englishman as Blanc’s replacement.
Former AC Milan, Napoli and Valencia boss Gennaro Gattuso is also reportedly under consideration as Lyon attempt to find the best solution to their current managerial vacancy.
Lampard at Chelsea
During his second stint as Blues manager - this time as interim - Lampard endured a torrid time back at Stamford Bridge.
He won just one of his 11 games in charge after taking over in April 2023, while he guided Chelsea to two draws and eight losses.
That win (a 3-1 away victory over Bournemouth) is Lampard’s only triumph in his past 21 games as a manager.
