Antonio Conte believes Frank Lampard “can do very well” as a coach now that his playing career has come to an end.
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Lampard announced his retirement from the professional game last week after his contract at New York City FC expired in November and the former England international is now studying for his coaching qualifications at Chelsea’s Cobham Training Centre.
The 38-year-old began his career at West Ham United and had spells at Manchester City and New York City but the bulk of his playing days were spent in west London, where he won 11 major honours in 13 years and became the Blues’ all-time leading goal-scorer.
He has now taken up an ambassadorial role at the club while he tries to attain a UEFA ‘B’ licence qualification and current Chelsea boss Conte has backed him to be a successful coach.
"Frank Lampard is a legend for this club," said the Italian during his pre-Burnley news conference.
"I think he is starting a new career [in coaching] but now is the time to take the best decision and it's not easy.
"I've passed this moment and it's not easy when you finish [to decide] what is the right way to follow. I think Frank can work in football as a coach and he can do very well."
Holders of the ‘B’ licence can only be assistant coaches of men’s professional clubs, meaning Lampard couldn’t walk straight into a managerial role, and last week his long-time team-mate John Terry called on the Football Association to fast-track former England internationals into coaching.
“I feel it's very important we get the best players back in the game," Terry told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"This generation of footballers have earned very good money throughout their time, and we need to make it easier for them to get into coaching roles by not doing the full length of the FA coaching course, which I know [technical director] Dan Ashworth at the FA is on board with.
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“He's trying to help these players get back out there because they've got so much knowledge to pass on. Not only to the kids, but to experienced players in the dressing room that haven't achieved what these guys have achieved."