Caretaker boss Frank Lampard ready to play a part in the ‘collaborative’ vision for Chelsea’s future

Frank Lampard is poised to play a part in the club’s owners’ ‘joint’ vision for Chelsea’s future as he prepares to lead the team through the final weeks of the season.

The 44-year-old was appointed interim boss in place of Graham Potter, who was sacked on Sunday after just 31 games into a five-year contract.

Chelsea are 11th in the Premier League and, despite spending more than £500m since Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital consortium took charge in May, have scored fewer goals than any side in the top half of the division.

This week the club opened talks with ex-Spain boss Luis Enrique, who arrived in London on Wednesday, about becoming Potter’s permanent replacement, with Julian Nagelsmann, who left Bayern Munich in March, also under consideration.

Chelsea have made it clear they intend to conduct a thorough search for their next manager after hastily appointing the former Brighton boss in September, just 24 hours after Thomas Tuchel’s sacking.

The 44-year-old was appointed interim boss in place of Graham Potter

Lampard watched Chelsea’s goalless draw against Liverpool on Tuesday before being appointed

Lampard is the club’s all-time top goalscorer, netting 211 goals in a 13-year spell at Stamford Bridge, but was sacked after just 18 months when he returned as manager under former owner Roman Abramovich.

Despite the turmoil that has rocked the club during a disappointing season, he said he has seen enough in the owners’ plans for the club to convince him they are suitable keepers.

“From conversations I’ve had with the people who now run the club, they’re all very positive,” said Lampard.

‘I now have a lot of experience working at different clubs. You gain insight into how you feel as a club that has a vision and wants to move forward.

‘Of course it’s about people. Good people working in the right direction, collaborating and talking, trying to find the right way. That’s the feeling I had when I came here. I am ready to play my part in that process.”

It is Lampard’s first job since being sacked by Everton in January as the club’s top flight status was jeopardized.

He enjoyed success in rescuing the team in their fight against the drop last season, coming back from 2-0 down to win a dramatic game against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park to survive with a game to spare, but couldn’t this season build on. campaign.

He reiterated Chelsea’s position that his appointment at Stamford Bridge is temporary, giving co-sports directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart breathing space to carry out the club’s latest management review.

However, he hinted he wouldn’t be averse to staying longer if the final games of the season – including both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid – go well.

Lampard was photographed leaving home with him as he was due to be at Chelsea’s base in Cobham this morning, taking training as he completes a sensational return to the club.

Graham Potter was sacked by Chelsea on Sunday night with the club eleventh in the table

Lampard is a club legend who helped Chelsea win their first Champions League in 2012

“It’s clear what the role is in terms of the title of the role,” Lampard said. ‘I absolutely understand that. I want to do my best during this period to show that I can coach and manage very well, then we’ll see what happens. I don’t need answers on that point.

“The feeling I have from the club is that they want to do a process to find the right person to move on, whoever that may be. That is absolutely their prerogative. Maybe that’s why I’m here at this time. It’s not for me to decide what the club’s process is and how they go about it.

“This is a club I belong to. I just want to do well right now. After that, it could mean saying “thank you so much” and looking to the future.

“At that point I will be very happy and say ‘thank you, I think I gave everything’. I can’t get ahead of my station at all. I’m just here to try to influence this period.’