Former Derby County defender Andre Wisdom has criticized Frank Lampard, revealing that his old boss has called him a ‘bully’ in the past.
The pair teamed up at Derby in the 2018/19 season where Wisdom revealed they were falling apart.
“I had one manager yell at me and that was Lampard,” he said The wonderful game podcast. “We were beaten by Aston Villa, 4-0 I think, and I said some comments after the game and then he just went in. strange to me.
“He said some things that were just really strange. For example, if someone says “I’m not afraid of you”. He said I walked slowly, he said I bullied people.
“Anyone you could ask, I know it might sound a little selfish, but they’ll say no, Andre is cool.” I’ve never raised my voice to anyone. Do not play with me. Do not. Do not. But bullying is different.
‘I’ll talk to you there myself. That’s my type. But in front of people, why would you? If you respond, we have a problem. I’m not everything he said, so it was weird.”
Andre Wisdom (left) has claimed Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard (right) branded him a bully during their time at Derby
Lampard’s first role in management was with the Rams, who he guided to the 2018-19 Championship play-off final.
“As a player, don. Mafia boss. Goals hit left (and) right, but he’s just not for me.’
He also said earlier on the podcast, “My experience was weird, it was very, very weird. It didn’t feel like I was playing football, and I think the fact that it was Frank Lampard was what upset me.
“I don’t want you to misinterpret it as if I was in awe… far from it. Far from. I guess I expected something I didn’t get. I expected more from him as a man.’
Wisdom, who made 97 appearances during his time with the Rams, also revealed it wasn’t just Lampard who he didn’t warm to when discussing his relationship with the Chelsea legend’s former No. 2 Jody Morris.
“I didn’t judge him,” the central defender said of Morris. “On a night out, I’d probably get into a fight with them. Just not for me.’
Wisdom, currently a free agent, went on to claim that Lampard has escaped in his managerial career because players are afraid to speak badly of the England icon.
He said: “It’s crazy when you say that because in football it’s like ‘Don’t say anything about Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney, they’re legends’.
“I think Rooney is different because he’s a scapegoat for English people in football. I don’t put him in that category. He’s the best for me anyway.
Wisdom left Derby in 2021 after four years at the club, making 97 appearances
The current free agent continued to reveal that he “didn’t agree” with Lampard
“Without being disrespectful, for me as a manager I didn’t judge him. It didn’t click. I’ve had other managers, both on and off the team, and we had mutual respect for each other.
“I guess we didn’t really agree.”
Wisdom, who played alongside Chelsea loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori that season, discussed how Lampard was changing the culture at Derby, but was not “honest” with his team.
“I don’t think he was fair to the team collectively,” he continued. “We also had a good team, so it’s easy when everything goes well. Like we reached the final and lost to Villa. But I think it was very cliquey, it felt like people were talking behind people’s backs. That season just wasn’t that good.
“Yes (the old energy) was kind of lost. And if it has tried to come back, you will be punished for it.
“I remember pre-season, some guys came back late one of the last nights or something and the next day we were all running for it. I understand the message, but it just felt very negative.’
Wisdom also criticized Lampard’s former assistant, Jody Morris (right)
Wisdom rounded off by wishing the very best for the current Chelsea interim manager, who has already lost six of his games this season.
‘No, I’m not surprised (at Lampard’s appointment at Chelsea). I would never diss (his management career). His job is his job, that’s for him.
“All the best for him, I don’t have any bad feelings for him. But if he was here, would I talk to him? No, I just didn’t really judge him.’
Chelsea face Bournemouth this weekend as pressure mounts on The Blues, who are still mathematically not safe from relegation this season.
Lampard knows things need to change if he is to save his reputation, with Wisdom’s comments coming to light in recent days.
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