Chelsea legend Frank Lampard and ex-Aston Villa and Leicester manager Dean Smith in contention for Charlotte FC job

Charlotte FC is in the market for a new head coach, the club's third in as many years, after parting ways with Christian Lattanzio following a Wild Card exit from the MLS Playoffs. The club has interviewed both Lampard and Smith for the role, sources have confirmed to GOAL, with those sources adding that the two aren't the only candidates for the job at the moment.

Lampard and Smith's candidacy was first reported by TopBin90.

Lampard's links to Charlotte FC come following a brief stint with Chelsea earlier this year after he stepped in as the club's caretaker manager for the final months of the Premier League season. He won just one of his 11 matches in charge, having been unable to halt the club's downward slide begun under previous boss Graham Potter. Lampard previously managed Chelsea from 2019-2021 before taking over Everton in January 2022 for a year-long stint.

The ex-England midfielder has links to MLS, having finished his career as a member of New York City FC in 2015-16.

Smith, meanwhile, most recently took charge of Leicester City earlier this year but was unable to save the club from relegation during his eight matches in charge. He'd previously managed Walsall, Brentford, Aston Villa and Norwich, having most notably helped Villa to the Premier League via a promotion in 2020.

He, too, has some connection to the area, as his son, Jamie, played college soccer at NC State and currently plays for the Greenville Triumph in North Carolina.

The club's coaching search is ongoing, even after interviews with both Lampard and Smith as part of that process. Sources tell GOAL that the "process is coming to an end", though, as a hire is expected to be announced this month.