Chelsea legend Frank Lampard is back in the Premier League with Coventry City
Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard will return to west London this season(Image: Sally Rawlins/Getty Images)
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Frank Lampard will make his long-awaited return to the Premier League when his Coventry City side face Arsenal in the season opener on Friday night.
The former Chelsea man spent 20 years in England's top flight, making his debut as a fresh-faced teenager at West Ham United in 1995. It was his 13 years at Stamford Bridge that cemented Lampard's legacy in the Premier League as he became one of the division's most prolific scorers from midfield.
Across 648 appearances, the Blues icon scored 211 goals and assisted 152 times. These numbers etched Lampard's name in Premier League history, where he holds the record of the most league goals (177) by a midfielder.
While he was an incredible player for the Blues, the 48-year-old's two spells as a manager had a few more bumps in the road. Here, football.london delves into Lampard's impending Stamford Bridge return, the reason for his initial sacking, and whether he would ever return to the club.
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Why Lampard was sacked
Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard joined Chelsea as manager in 2019(Image: Isabel Infantes / AFP via Getty Images)
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Lampard's first and only permanent stint as Chelsea boss began in July 2019, when he became the first English manager to take charge of the club in over 20 years. The former England star was initially forced to operate under a transfer embargo, which saw him provide opportunities to a number of young talents, including Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount.
Lampard always insisted he would have put his faith in youth regardless, but nevertheless it paid off as the west Londoners finished fourth in his first campaign in charge. Chelsea also reached the FA Cup final that season, losing 2-1 to Arsenal.
His second season at helm began relatively well enough, with the Blues briefly topping the table after a 3-1 win over Leeds United in December. They also topped their group in the Champions League.
However, the tide began to turn during the festive period. Chelsea went on a run of just two wins in eight under Lampard, which saw them drop to ninth in the table.
Under increasing pressure, Lampard was eventually sacked on January 25, 2021, with the club stating that "results and performances have not met the club's expectations, leaving the club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement."
Frank Lampard.
Lampard's tenure at Chelsea turned ugly towards the end(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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The former England international was clear about his disappointment in not being given more time in the hot seat. In a statement to the League Managers Association, Lampard said: "When I took on this role, I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult time for the football club.
"I am proud of the achievements that we made, and I am proud of the academy players that have made their step into the first team and performed so well. They are the future of the club. I am disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward and bring it to the next level."
Lampard returned to Chelsea two years later, this time as a caretaker manager following the sacking of Graham Potter. Unfortunately, this comeback wasn't any better than his first time in charge.
Lampard was unable to save the club's season and achieved just one win in his 11 games back at the helm. Chelsea ultimately finished 12th - just 10 points above the relegation zone - with their lowest points tally in the Premier League era on 44.
Potential Chelsea return
If things stay as they are for now, Lampard won't return to the place he once called home until next March at the earliest. Coventry will host Chelsea at the CBS Arena on Boxing Day, with the Sky Blues travelling to west London for a Stamford Bridge showdown on March 3, 2027.
However, there was a moment when fans were hoping that Lampard might ditch Coventry and make a return for a third stint as Chelsea manager. It came earlier this year after Enzo Maresca suddenly left his job, with Liam Rosenior taking the reins.
His appointment ended in disaster, with Chelsea going on their worst run of form in the league since 1912 under his leadership. Rosenior was sacked and questions surrounded who would take over at Stamford Bridge next.
Frank Lampard.
Frank Lampard was linked with a return to Chelsea(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
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Lampard was touted for another return by some but gave no indication that he would leave the Sky Blues, particularly given their impressive standing in the Championship at the time.
Speaking in April, he explained: "I’ve been there and I never walk to talk too much about managers because of context behind the scenes, I think it’s disrespectful to have a judgment on it, that’s for pundits to have a judgment.
"It’s a difficult patch for sure. We as managers know that in those difficult patches the consequences that can be. I think we all have to big enough to understand that. As a football club they’re in a difficult patch, they have a chance to be able to get something out of the season with the FA Cup and the league position if they can make that better.
"But it’s Chelsea’s business. Chelsea are a big part of my life, but at the moment it’s their business and my business is here."
When asked for a message to any concerned Coventry fans, Lampard added: "I’d like to think Coventry fans are just enjoying what we’ve done through this season. I think the world of management, a lot of things are out of your control, all you can do is control your work. I have to come and speak to you about rumours, but at the minute I think we should just enjoy where we are."
Xabi Alonso was announced as Chelsea manager in July. The Spaniard signed a four-year deal and is busy preparing the Blues for the impending season.