June 6th 2024.
Frank Lampard, the legendary Chelsea player, recently shared his thoughts on the club's new manager Enzo Maresca. He emphasized the importance of patience from the club's owners and giving Maresca the opportunity to build on the positive foundation left by former manager Mauricio Pochettino.
After Pochettino's unexpected departure at the end of the season, Chelsea brought in Leicester City's Championship-winning boss Maresca on a five-year deal. Although the club had a disappointing season, they finished strong with five consecutive wins, securing a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and qualifying for Europe.
Pochettino was expected to continue his work with the team next season, but after discussions with the club's hierarchy, he decided to leave. Now, the Chelsea owners are hoping that Maresca, their sixth managerial appointment in five years, can lead the team to major trophies after two seasons outside the top-four.
When asked about Maresca's appointment and the state of the club, Lampard shared his thoughts on talkSPORT, saying, "It was good to see a positive end to the season. I was there at the back-end of the previous season, and I knew it was going to be a tough build and a tough ask because of where the club was at and the distance to the top clubs. I think there's still a gap, so it's important to be patient and give the new manager the chance to do his work, assess the squad, and possibly bring in new players."
Lampard, who has managed Everton and Derby County in addition to his time at Chelsea, has been out of work since his second spell as the club's manager ended last year. However, he feels ready for a return to football management and has turned down offers over the past 12 months.
"I'd like to find the right opportunity," Lampard shared about his job prospects. "I've enjoyed the break because football management takes over your life. Some opportunities have come my way that didn't feel right for whatever reason, but I feel ready now. We'll see what opportunities come up because I love the work and I love what I do."
Currently, Lampard is managing England alongside his uncle Harry Redknapp for Sunday's charity game against Soccer Aid World XI for UNICEF. As for Chelsea, fans can stay updated on all the latest news, exclusives, and analysis by signing up for the club's newsletter, which is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
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