Lampard to accept interim Chelsea return, as Boehly narrows permanent role down to two candidates

Frank Lampard is poised to say yes after being offered the chance to return to Chelsea as interim manager for the rest of the season, though Todd Boehly has already scheduled talks with two candidates who are battling to take over in the summer, per multiple sources.

The Blues reluctantly called time on Graham Potter’s ill-fated spell at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. A whole host of candidates have been linked with filling the vacancy, though the surprise name of Frank Lampard is due to take the reigns.

Indeed, The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported Chelsea are ‘working on a deal’ to appoint the Chelsea legend on an ‘interim basis’.

The idea is Lampard will see out the remainder of the campaign before a permanent successor to Potter takes charge in the summer.

Fabrizio Romano backed up the reporting, tweeting talks between Chelsea and Lampard are ‘concrete’.

Romano subsequently added Lampard is ‘open’ to accepting the role and talks over doing just that are ‘advanced’.

The Telegraph’s Matt Law added his take, claiming the expectation at Chelsea is Lampard ‘will accept’ the interim offer. He’s been out of work since being axed by Everton in January.

The greenlight on appointing Lampard will ultimately be given by Chelsea’s owners and if all goes to plan, Lampard will return to the Stamford Bridge hotseat for a second spell, albeit on a temporary basis. Lampard previously managed Chelsea between July 2019 to January 2021.

Lampard will therefore get a crack at guiding Chelsea to Champions League glory after being denied the chance in the 2020/21 campaign.

Thomas Tuchel replaced Lampard in January of that year and proceeded to lead Chelsea to UCL glory six months later. Chelsea face Real Madrid in the quarter finals of this year’s competition.

Further Nagelsmann, Enrique talks scheduled

Chelsea also have an eye on who’ll become the permanent manager in the summer, however, and two candidates are coming to the fore.

Romano reported Chelsea have scheduled a ‘new round of talks’ with both Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique. They’re viewed as more viable contenders to take the job from the summer onwards.

However, given Lampard is on the cusp of returning in an interim capacity, Chelsea no longer need to rush into a quick decision over who to select from Nagelsmann and Enrique.