‘Never say never’ – Frank Lampard backed for third spell as Chelsea boss after showing fellow ‘great’ Wayne Rooney how to rebuild coaching career with Coventry success

Ex-England international Lampard spent 13 memorable years with the Blues as a player, registering 211 goals while landing three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown. He returned to Stamford Bridge as manager in 2019 after cutting his coaching teeth at Derby.

That reign lasted 18 months, through to January 2021. Lampard answered an SOS call in April 2023 - a matter of weeks after leaving Everton - as he stepped in as caretaker and oversaw 11 games at the helm through to the end of that season, picking up just one win in the process.

Lampard has had to start again, having taken over at Coventry, and has helped to guide them into the Championship play-off places. He is considered to have shown fellow “great” Wayne Rooney how a reputation can be salvaged, with another stint in west London not being ruled out.

Former Chelsea midfielder Townsend has told OLBG: “The way Coventry have been playing lately, Frank Lampard could be in the Premier League next year. Coventry have had some great times in the Premier League.

“I've said it on many occasions, I like to see great ex-players moving on and succeeding in management. I don't like to see what happened to Wayne Rooney down at Plymouth and coming out of Birmingham after such a short period of time.

“He was an unbelievable player. I like to see good players go into management and have an effect. I remember when Frank went into Chelsea when they were under that embargo, he had to turn to some of the younger players, and certainly they developed under his leadership.

“It hasn't always worked for him where he's been, but right now his team look good and they're exciting to watch. I've got some friends locally that go there every week and they're really enjoying what they're seeing. It's not only about the win, and they're winning matches, but people are enjoying what they're witnessing, which is nice. I hope Frank can go and make a success of it.”

Townsend added when throwing things forward: “Should he go back to Chelsea? There would always be a massive temptation for him considering his relationship with the club. I mean, you never say never and it could happen. But if I was him, I wouldn't be thinking about that and I'm sure he's not. If that happens, he'll cross that bridge when he comes to it.

“But I think here and now, clearly Frank wants to be a successful manager and I get the feeling now that he's learned a lot from previous escapades.

“I think what he's putting in place at Coventry at the moment, that message is getting across. That is working. Players are buying into it. He's enjoying it, his team look like they're playing well, good luck to him and they might well be playing Premier League football next time round.”

Lampard previously led Derby into the second tier play-offs, only to suffer an agonising final defeat to Aston Villa at Wembley. He is hoping to go one better this term, with no thought being given at present to any potential retracing of steps to Chelsea.