Frank Lampard is among those linked with Chelsea’s departure following Liam Rosenior’s sacking, but the Coventry manager has been urged to reject any approaches.
Frank Lampard leads Coventry City to the Championship title (Image: Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)
Frank Lampard’s former teammate Joe Cole insists he has no interest in a return to Chelsea as the Blues icon has been linked with a return to Stamford Bridge.
The Coventry City manager is basking in the glory of his first promotion campaign after leading the Sky Blues back to the Premier League for the first time in more than 20 years. Their champion status was confirmed on Sunday as Lampard continued to prove himself in the dugout.
His second managerial job was at Chelsea, where he spent 18 months, most of which was under a transfer ban. He helped build the team that won the Champions League and then had a short stint as interim manager, this time under the current American owners.
The sacking of manager Liam Rosenior means they are once again looking for a new manager, with Lampard’s name being bandied about. But after two stints, both of which were sabotaged in different ways, Cole is adamant his former colleague has no desire to return to the club, with the club’s hierarchy and strategy heavily criticized.
He told Paddy Power: “Frank should stay away from the club. For Frank, who loves the club, there will be a temptation to come back and do it again.”
read more: Chelsea stand-in manager Callum MacFarlane praises Enzo Fernandes after Liam Rosenior’s disdainread more: Tottenham reposition a match that could see relegation confirmed against their arch-rivals
“He’s done a great job at Coventry. No one would have supported Coventry’s promotion at the start of the season. He has a big challenge to stay in the league next season. All his focus and mental energy now should be on reinforcements. I’m sure he’s named five, six, seven players he wants (for Coventry).”
“If I were him, I wouldn’t go to Chelsea. You’re judged on performance in any job you do, and[at Chelsea]you don’t have complete control over what you can do. That’s insane.”
Liam Rosenier was fired last week (Image: Getty Images)
The Blues will retain Callum MacFarlane as manager until the end of the season, after which they will look for another permanent manager. Chelsea still have a spot in the FA Cup and are not completely out of contention for Champions League qualification, but they will face a difficult task if they want to finish in the top five.
A criticism of Rosenior’s appointment was his lack of experience and aura, which meant he was not able to fully command the dressing room. There is a recognition that Blues need more established players, with links to the likes of Andoni Iraola and Cesc Fabregas.
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