Former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole believes Frank Lampard should replace Enzo Maresca as manager despite Liam Rosenior emerging as a favorite to join Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have been prompted to make a surprise move by reappointing former manager Frank Lampard to replace Enzo Maresca. The London-based club are looking for a new head coach after parting ways with the Italian earlier this week.
The decision came less than 48 hours after a lackluster 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in the Premier League, and was largely due to tensions between Maresca and the club’s leadership this season. Chelsea aim to secure a new head coach as soon as possible and several names have been named for the vacant position.
Academy coach Callum MacFarlane will take charge against Manchester City this weekend, setting up a daunting showdown with Josep Guardiola in the dugout. Given the ownership relationship between Chelsea and the Ligue 1 side, Strasbourg’s Liam Rosenior is currently at the forefront of the takeover race, with recent reports claiming that negotiations between the two parties are progressing well.
Other candidates include former player Cesc Fabregas, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner. But former Chelsea player Carlton Cole believes Lampard deserves another chance to take charge of the Blues.
read more: “Liam Rosenior would accept Chelsea’s terms, but an alternative would be suitable.”read more: Chelsea’s new manager talks eloquently ahead of Man City clash
Chelsea midfield legend Lampard, who currently manages Coventry City, has twice been in charge at Stamford Bridge, with his first spell lasting from August 2019 to January 2021. Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge as interim manager in April 2023 following the departure of Graham Potter, and remained at the helm until the end of the season.
Time passed and in November last year he took the reins at Coventry City, where his fortunes improved dramatically. His team currently sit at the top of the Championship and are strong candidates for promotion this season. Cole, who rose through Chelsea’s youth ranks in the early 2000s while Lampard was established as a star in the first team, believes his former colleague deserved recognition for his early managerial role and believes he deserves a crack at the top flight again.
Lampard had to avoid a transfer ban, which proved instrumental in the bloodletting of several academy graduates, particularly Mason Mount and Reece James. Speaking on talkSPORT, Cole praised his former teammate’s debut as manager.
“His first outing was really good,” he said. “He had Jody Morris next to him because he was using young players.
“With no budget, he did really well beyond our expectations so we had to feed the young players and that set the tone.
“Let’s not forget that. It was a miracle job from Lampard.”
Cole continued to support Lampard’s possible return. He added: “I like Lampard as the Chelsea manager. I say that because I know he knows the club inside and out. He knows the culture and, listen, he didn’t do too badly in the first game. Imagine if he was backed.”
However, it warned of possible interference. “But that’s another thing. If he comes in, they can’t tell him what to do. That’s not what any of them want.”
Chelsea face Manchester City at the Etihad on Sunday before preparing for the London derby against Fulham in midweek. Later in January, they will face Charlton Athletic and Arsenal in domestic cup matches.
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