Frank Lampard jokes that Chelsea will be ‘someone else’s problem’ after Sunday’s season finale, but says it ‘remains to be seen’ whether his successor has the toughest job of any boss in the game. blues with Mauricio Pochettino who should take the reins
Frank Lampard jokingly insists Chelsea are someone else’s problem after Sunday’s season-ending final, but the Stamford Bridge legend is still determined to finally give fans something to smile about.
The beleaguered goalkeeper will end his disastrous short-term reign when his side host Newcastle.
Lampard insists it won’t feel like a complete goodbye to his adoring fans, who have stood by him during a run of one win and eight losses in 10 games.
But, despite that fate – and Chelsea’s worst league result since 1996 – Lampard refused to be fired on whether his new permanent successor, who should still be Mauricio Pochettino, has the toughest job of all. Blues bosses for more than two decades.
‘I don’t know. It’s a good title but I don’t know, it remains to be seen,’ Lampard said.
Frank Lampard joked Chelsea would be ‘somebody else’s problem after Sunday’
Mauricio Pochettino (pictured) is set to take over from Lampard after the end of the season
Chelsea were humiliated 4-1 on Thursday night by Manchester United at Old Trafford, spelling more misery for what has been a season to forget
“I can’t jump into the future. I think it’s a fantastic job because it’s Chelsea’s job and when I took it the first time I came I probably got the job because a lot of the top managers didn’t want it. job. I know for a fact. That was a big part of that.
“But I enjoyed the process and enjoyed coming and I wish the new manager well. I don’t know. It’s his problem.
Despite watching their club’s worst season this century, Chelsea fans backed Lampard, chanting his name repeatedly during Thursday’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester United.
It left Lampard, who is now completing his second term in charge, grateful for the support, although he insists the Newcastle game will not feel like a final goodbye for him.
“I don’t want it to sound corny but I don’t feel like it’s a goodbye,” Lampard said. “I appreciate it, it will be the end of the season and the end of my little comeback.
“And I didn’t have that goodbye before because it was Covid, but normally when you leave a club you don’t have a big hurrah as a manager. You’re in one day and you’re in the next and it is very good.
“It doesn’t feel strange to me and – that’s the corny part – I’ll never feel like I’m saying goodbye to the fans.
“My career as a player and as a coach, the first time and in this period, it is there.
Lampard was appointed as the club’s caretaker manager after Todd Boehly (pictured) sacked Graham Potter earlier this season
Although it was a difficult end to the season with Lampard having won a game since taking over, he said ‘it wasn’t like a goodbye’
“I live quite close to the stadium and will be back to Chelsea many times. When you take on a managerial career it doesn’t mean you’re going to stay at a club where you spent 13 years as a player forever.
“I’m pretty calm about it, not too nostalgic but I certainly appreciate the support from the fans and I will appreciate it on Sunday.”
“But more than anything, I’d like to give them a performance to take away for the summer and a bit more positive eel.”
Mason Mount, who may have played his last game for the club due to an ongoing contract stalemate, is unlikely to play due to a pelvic injury.
