Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is enjoying time off with his family after an impressive first season as a Premier League manager.
The 42-year-old is in Antibes in the South of France with his wife, television presenter Christine, and three children.
Lampard missed out on a first trophy as a manager as his side were beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in last month’s FA Cup final.
But the England icon has received plaudits for his maiden campaign in the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
He picked up a Premier League Manager of the Year nomination after guiding Chelsea to Champions League qualification with a fourth-place finish.
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And his holiday comes after Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck gave him a vote of confidence for his successful first season.
“In the round we think it was a very successful season,” Buck told the PA news agency.
“I think obviously we would have been a little bit happier if we had won the FA Cup, but I’m sure the manager and the players were gutted not to lift the trophy.”
The next Premier League season is set to begin on 12 September and Chelsea will soon begin their pre-season preparations.
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The Blues squad has already been strengthened with the arrivals of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech from RB Leipzig and Ajax respectively.
With Champions League football secured and his side’s ranks boosted, Buck believes it is an “exciting time”.
The Blues chairman added: “Frank Lampard is a very positive force for Chelsea.
“He’s Chelsea through and through and that continues to show through. He carries a lot of credibility.
“It’s an exciting time for Chelsea.”
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The Blues are expected to recruit further in the transfer window and are linked with £72million-rated Bayer Leverkusen star Kai Havertz.
However, Lampard may consider spending funds on improving his defence rather than adding to his already formidable attacking options.
Chelsea’s season ended with a 4-1 (agg. 7-1) loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week during which their backline was run ragged.
And in the wake of the defeat, Rio Ferdinand called on Lampard to switch his focus to invest in defenders.
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