Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has been named as Derby County’s new manager. Lampard has been a regular pundit on BT Sport since hanging up the boots in February 2017 and the 39-year-old is set for his first managerial role in first-team football.
His arrival follows the departure of Gary Rowett, with the latter stepping down from his position at Pride Park to take over the reins at Stoke City ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
‘I’ve always wanted to manage a club with a big tradition and history like Derby County, so this is a huge opportunity,’ Lampard said at his unveiling on Thursday morning.
‘I have spent considerable time discussing the role and the club’s objectives with the Chairman and board members.
‘We want to build on the club’s top six finish in the Championship last season, while at the same time bringing through some of the excellent youth and Academy talent we have at Pride Park.
‘This is my first job as a manager, but I’ve worked closely with some of the best coaches in the game and I’m confident in my own abilities and those of the team around me, including the board.
‘I know it won’t be easy – managing a football team never is – but I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.’
Derby chairman Mel Morris stated that he was please to bring in a manager with such a high reputation in the game.
I’m delighted to have someone of Frank’s calibre as our new manager,’ Morris said.
‘I’ve always been an admirer of Frank both as a player and a person, especially in the way he conducts himself both on and off the pitch.
‘That impression was only re-enforced when we interviewed him for this role, his passion and humility shone through in equal measure.
‘The board were unanimous that he was the stand-out applicant with many highly desirable and unique capabilities. Few players have achieved what Frank has in his career to date.
‘He’s a winner, a leader who knows what it takes to succeed and who has the character and charisma to be a fantastic manager for us.’
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