Frank Lampard has downplayed suggestions that Chelsea owner Todd Boehly sought out the advice of James Corden prior to him returning as the club’s interim boss until the end of the season. Corden became friends with Lampard off the back of Sky series A League Of Their Own that saw the ex-England and Chelsea midfielder appear on the show and he reportedly told Boehly that Lampard would be a good fit for the vacancy.
Reports surfaced after Lampard was appointed as Graham Potter’s successor that his return to Stamford Bridge had come off the back of advice from the British broadcaster. The Englishman who is a self-confessed West Ham fan has hosted popular American talk-show the Late Late Show since 2015 and has apparently built up a strong relationship with Blues owner Boehly.
Lampard hit back at the suggestion prior to Chelsea’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid on Wednesday as he explained he wasn’t back at Stamford Bridge just because of Corden’s remarks. ‘They [Chelsea owners] probably make decisions based on more than a conversation with one person so… that’s as much as I’ll give that question,’ he said.
Chelsea currently languish in 11th position of the Premier League standings after a torrid run of results and face the likely prospect of no silverware this season unless they can pull off a Champions League miracle.
Lampard returned to Chelsea last week just over two years after being fired from his position by previous owner Roman Abramovich. He is tasked with trying to lead the Blues to another Champions League triumph having last lifted the coveted trophy in 2021 and will attempt to resurrect the club’s Premier League form during the end-of-season run-in.
However, Lampard isn’t expected to land the coveted manager’s position on a permanent basis despite the robust attitude he has adopted since his return was confirmed.
A statement from Chelsea’s co-owners off the back of Lampard’s adoption stated that the club will ‘continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach’. Lampard’s first game back in charge saw the Blues beaten 1-0 by Wolves on Saturday as Matheus Nunes’ scored the only goal of the match.
Recently departed Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann has been frequently linked with taking the role at the end of the season, while former Barcelona treble-winning manager Luis Enrique could be set for a first managerial stint in the Premier League.
