Chelsea toys with Lampard as interim and Enrique for long term

Chelsea officials are apparently considering Frank Lampard to become their caretaker manager. The club sacked previous head coach Graham Potter after just 31 games in charge. The Blues fired Thomas Tuchel back in September, as well. Because they are on the search for yet another manager, the club will now take their time in making a final decision.

Former midfielder hasn’t had much luck in coaching

Lampard played over 600 total matches for the west London club. After retiring as a player, the former Blues legend went into coaching. He performed fairly well in his first opportunity with Derby County. However, Lampard struggled to keep pace in the Premier League when Chelsea named him head coach in 2019.

After a lackluster year-and-a-half at the helm, Chelsea relieved Lampard of his duties in January of 2021. The former England international then took over at Everton just a week later. This was undoubtedly his most difficult job in his young coaching career. The Toffees were on the brink of relegation during the 2021/22 campaign. Then, the Merseyside outfit sacked him in January after winning just 12 of 44 total matches.

Lampard was also in Chelsea’s director’s box at Stamford Bridge during the club’s 0-0 draw against Liverpool on Tuesday. The club’s current interim head coach, Bruno Saltor, was in charge of the match. The club does not consider him a full-time solution.

Enrique and Nagelsmann, less Lampard in running for Chelsea job

Chelsea are reportedly targeting Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann for the long-term managerial role. The Times has claimed that Enrique has flown to London to speak with team officials. The former Barcelona boss has even made it clear that he wants to manage in the Premier League.

“I follow above all the Premier [League] because I would like to go to England to work,” Enrique recently told Cadena Ser radio. “I wouldn’t go to any team but to one that could do important things, which greatly reduces the number, I don’t put my hopes up, really, because there are many candidates.”

Nagelsmann could also be an option for the Blues as well. The 35-year-old coach is widely regarded as one of the top young minds in the sport. The Evening Standard has even reported that Chelsea have opened talks with the former Bayern coach.

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