Frank Lampard has ended all speculation linking him to return at Stamford Bridge after Derby bowed out in the Championship play-off final.
Lampard reiterated that rumours suggesting that the Blues will offer him a job as manager is irrelevant. He brushed off this speculation following Derby County’s 2-1 defeat on Monday against Aston Villa at Wembley.
The former Chelsea midfielder has been rumoured to replace Maurizio Sarri, who is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. The Italian tactician is also been linked with joining Juventus in his home country. This development fanned rumours putting Lampard’s name on top of his former team’s list ahead of the Wembley result.
Lampard has one more year with Derby County and will hold meetings with the owners to talk about his future with the club. When asked if the rumours about him going back to Chelsea would have any effect on his talk with Derby’s owners, Lampard said, “No. It’s irrelevant. I spoke to Mel [Morris, Derby owner] three days before this game and said we’ll sit down and talk, and that any talk around that is irrelevant. I’ve got a two-year contract here, I’ve loved working here, and I want to continue that, I want to continue progressing with the club.”
He added, “I have to say, after my first year, and the opportunity that this club gave me, it’s massively important that everyone understands that. That’s my overriding feeling. That’s where I am.
“I go away tonight; I’m going to have a couple of beers with the lads and the staff and everyone who’s worked so hard this year. Afterwards, we’ll talk about where we go forward,” he further said.
Lampard’s first year as manager was not totally successful. With the club being reliant on loanees like Harry Wilson and Mason Mount, plus key players already on the final year of their contract, Lampard knows that there is much work to be done in the summer.
Lampard further added that with the squad going to break up a bit, there’s a lot of work to be done. He admitted that massive recruitment is needed and wants to make sure sure that the club brings in quality players.
