Frank Lampard insists his legacy as a Chelsea player will not be tarnished if he doesn’t hit the same heights as the club’s manager.
Chelsea boss Lampard is a Stamford Bridge legend, with his 211 goals making him the club’s all-time top scorer – a remarkable feat for a midfielder.
In his 13-year career with the Blues he won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups, as well as the Champions League and Europa League.
And in his first season as Chelsea manager he has kept his side consistently in the Premier League’s top four – although with football currently suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic it remains to be seen whether his charges can secure a Champions League place for next season.
Lampard, who also scored 29 goals in 106 appearances for England, says he wants to be just as successful a manager as he was a player.
(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
But he says if he fails in the Chelsea hotseat, it shouldn’t affect his standing as one of the club’s greats.
“My objective is simple, to be as successful as it is possible to be at Chelsea,” said Lampard, in a new book, ‘The Boss – Chelsea managers from Ted Drake to Frank Lampard’.
“If I don’t, then that should not influence what I achieved in 13 years as a player.
“But my intention is to succeed as a manager the way I succeeded as a player.”
(Image: Getty)
Lampard replaced Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea boss in July last year, having shown promise in his rookie season as a manager by guiding Derby County to the Championship play-off final last season.
Despite his lack of experience, Lampard said he didn’t feel it was too early for him to take the Chelsea job.
“You wouldn’t have dreamed the Chelsea job would come along after a year at Derby,” the 41-year-old said.
“Was it the right decision to take the job so early? It was a question posed at the time of my appointment – whether it was too early in my development as manager.
(Image: Getty Images)
“But I didn’t ask myself whether it was too early. I had confidence in my ability.
“But I understand why it was the first question. I had a wonderful playing career with Chelsea but that has nothing to do with my new role as manager.
“This is a challenge I had no fear of taking and have no fear of doing.”
