Frank Lampard could potentially return to manage Chelsea for a third time, according to his ex-teammate William Gallas. Lampard has had an impressive start as Coventry's boss in the Championship, which has helped him rebuild his coaching reputation.
The former midfielder has previously managed Chelsea twice. His first stint saw him secure Champions League football for the club by nurturing young talents like Reece James and Mason Mount during a transfer embargo, but a poor run of results the following season saw him replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
His second spell at Stamford Bridge was also challenging. After Graham Potter was sacked by the Blues in 2023, Lampard stepped in as caretaker boss but only managed one win from 11 games.
Between these two spells, Lampard had a tumultuous time at Everton. He helped the club maintain their Premier League status but was dismissed after being drawn into a relegation battle in his first full season, reports the Mirror.
Since taking over Coventry in 17th place last November, Lampard has driven them into play-off contention with a record run. Gallas believes that managing in the Premier League should be Lampard's next step. The French central defender also suggested that Lampard, Chelsea's top goalscorer, could make another return to the club in the future.
Speaking to Spin Genie, Gallas said: "After what happened to Frank Lampard, we had to be patient. He is doing well right now with Coventry City, if he can give them the chance to get into the Premier League that would be the best thing for him.
"But you never know, he could go back. That's why it's good for him to improve and do something really good with another Premier League team in the future, maybe helping them into Europe in the Europa League or Champions League.
"That would give him more experience and then one day, we could see him at Chelsea again. But right now, I don’t know. The best thing that can happen for him now is Coventry City to go to the Premier League. That will be the best story for him."
Coventry City are currently fifth in the championship with 59 points, narrowly above West Bromwich Albion and Bristol City. Following a victory against Sunderland and bouncing back from a loss to Derby County, Lampard expressed his satisfaction with his team's performance.
"Every bit of the performance I loved," Lampard said after his side won a sixth game of their last seven. "From the first minute in the first half, it's the best we've played since I've been here and everything you want from a performance. No real threat from them, really.
"Then in the second half, it's a dangerous result but never felt too much like that. They had a couple of chances but we pushed again, we dealt with the game and we got our third goal. So absolutely delighted with the team as a whole, the squad, great going into the break off the back of that."
"Well we've come a long way from where we were when I came in," Lampard added. "It's a really good run of accumulating points and improved performance. We're in the play-off positions, that's great but there's going to be twists and turns as we go.
"If we can perform like we played today, we'll make the play-offs. It's as simple as that. So the onus is on us to continue that."
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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