Frank Lampard had a great time in west London as a player, but not much during his first tenure as a manager. Photo: AFP/Glyn. Kirk
After 10 months, two managers and £600m, Todd Boly seems to finally be in charge.
Asking Frank Lampard to take charge before the end of the season may seem like an act of desperation, but after he passed 'short' in the transfer market next to an ax dropped on two managers, it seems like an unexpected logical moment.
Now Chelsea clearly want to have an in-depth recruitment process for the very best coaches in Europe, and as their options are likely only expand over the next two months, why dive in and risk another costly mistake?
In addition, there is still a lot to play this season, so one should not just pass up the remote chance that a new face can inspire the team. A return to the Europa League is entirely possible, and as fantastic as it sounds, Chelsea are only four games away from another Champions League final.
Their two previous triumphs — in 2012 and 2021 — followed a mid-season change of managers and while it's hard to make a compelling case for Lampard as a long-term solution, the pleasant presence of the club legend can at least inspire an instant rise. in the mood.
Sometimes it can be a cliché to talk about the importance of a manager «knowing the club», but amidst all the turmoil of the past year, fans, staff and players will really take some comfort in seeing what's going on around them. the club's all-time leading scorer
It also makes sense for Lampard
This unlikely vow renewal probably makes even more sense for Lampard himself.
Yes, his pride will no doubt remember the pain of Roman Abramovich sacking him in 2021 and then seeing how Thomas Tuchel so instantly improved the same group of players.
His ego can also refuse a contract offer only until the end of the season. while his employers are talking to other managers.
But Lampard also needs to be realistic about where he is in his managerial career now and the low-risk «free kick» offered.
Lampard will no doubt back himself to improve on a terrible recent streak . results under Graham Potter, but even if he fails, most fingers will rightly point out all the errors and misjudgments that have preceded this moment.
Still, he will be able to stimulate even a short-lived upswing in form — something this Chelsea squad is certainly quite capable of — and Lampard will go a long way to rebuilding his reputation as a credible candidate at other Premier League clubs. /p>
This status is certainly now highly questionable and there is no certainty at what level he could be asked to return to football management after apparently mixed results at Derby County, Chelsea and Everton.
No showcase in world football attracts more attention than the Premier League, and only a brave manager turns down any opportunity to come back from the shadows after falling off the stage.
In the long run, Chelsea should look beyond Lampard
Although this the leftmost appointment may work in the short term, it is almost impossible to imagine that it will provide the right long-term solution for both Chelsea and Lampard.
Other alleged intermediaries are instantly remembered, such as Roberto Di Matteo at Chelsea in 2012 or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United in 2018. They both rode the waves of early momentum, but were never destined to convincingly lead the club forward with sufficient long-term credibility. . But for now, that should be the least of the worries on both sides.
For Lampard, an unexpected springboard has come his way after he was sacked by Everton just 10 weeks ago.
It's time for Chelsea to take stock and reflect. . Talk in detail with men like Julian Naglesmann, Luis Enrique and Mauricio Pochettino. Think carefully about what kind of club they want to become and what kind of manager best fits that vision.
Boyley should also use this period to look at both himself and the characteristics of the most successful owners and chairmen in football. He must learn from the past 10 months. Because he is in business and sports like no other. And it should be obvious that repeating the methods and interventions that have been used so far is likely to only lead to new cycles of upheaval and failure.
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