Lampard Set To Return As Chelsea Manager

Struggling Chelsea are working on a deal to appoint club legend Frank Lampard as their new head coach on an interim basis until the end of the season, the Telegraph reports.

The Blues are close to an agreement which would see Lampard — who was at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night to watch Chelsea draw 0-0 with Liverpool — return two years after leaving.

Talks between Chelsea and Lampard accelerated on Wednesday afternoon, and the club believe Lampard is ready to help the side while they work through their permanent options.

Lampard could even return in time to take charge of Chelsea’s Premier League game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday ahead of the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid next week.

Appointing Lampard as a more experienced caretaker than acting head coach Bruno Saltor would give Chelsea greater breathing space and also allow for the possibility of the next permanent head coach taking over in the summer.

Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique flew to London on Wednesday as Chelsea stepped up talks over the club’s next handler, with the club also speaking to former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann, who some sources believe remains the favourite for the job.

Lampard sat behind co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley at Stamford Bridge in co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali’s box on Tuesday night to watch the league tie with Liverpool, which immediately prompted speculation.

Chelsea are in contact with Enrique and Nagelsmann, but will try to hold talks with up to five candidates – including Mauricio Pochettino – before committing to a frontrunner.

Reports in Germany have indicated that Nagelsmann might prefer to wait until the summer and Chelsea’s commitment to a thorough and exhaustive process could mean there is not an imminent long-term appointment if numerous interviews are required.

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