Lampard tipped for surprise Chelsea return

Cameron Smith

• 6 Feb 2024 15:35 GMT
• 3 min read

Frank Lampard has been out of work since his interim spell back at Chelsea ended last season, but the Blues legend has now been tipped for a third return to the club.

Mauricio Pochettino is currently struggling at Stamford Bridge and the 4-2 defeat against Wolves on Sunday has ramped up pressure on the former Tottenham Hotspur boss.

Several names have been touted as possible replacements for Pochettino, including Jose Mourinho, while talk of Lampard returning for a third time has also emerged.

However, former Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen believes that Lampard would be an outstanding candidate to replace Emma Hayes as Chelsea Women head coach at the end of the 2023-24 campaign instead.

Hayes has enjoyed a period of dominance since taking over at Chelsea in 2012, with the club winning a total of 15 major honours during her tenure so far. But, she will be leaving the Blues when the current season concludes in order to take over the United States women’s national team.

The USWNT are ranked second in the world and they have secured the services of Hayes from this summer onwards.

Frank Lampard to replace Emma Hayes at Chelsea?

Chelsea have a huge job on their hands to replace Hayes and Lampard could be an excellent choice, according to Christiansen.

She told LiveScore: “I do have a name in mind but I've never heard anyone throw it out there... Frank Lampard.

“He's somebody who knows the club inside out. From my experiences at Everton, listening to him speak, he's the right type of character.

“His level of communication and knowledge of the game could be really effective and I think you've got someone well accustomed with what it means to be Chelsea,” Christiansen continued.

“I don't have any knowledge on whether he'd want it or not but it makes sense to me. To be honest, I sit in a party where it doesn't have to be a female, doesn't have to be a male - it just needs to be the right person for the job.

“There's no gain in Chelsea going: ‘Right, let's pigeonhole this, it has to be a female’. If they want to continue or attempt to continue the dominance they've had domestically, it has to be the correct appointment.”