Official: Frank Lampard appointed Caretaker Manager until the end of the season

[Rob B]

It’s not out of the realms of the possible that Lamps spends a couple of days on the training pitch firing them up, and the boost that the players clearly need is enough to brush Wolves aside.   For all his imperfections as a manager,  I bet our squad hold him in high regard.  Tactics/ formation obviously plays a part but let’s be honest, if we’re at it on Saturday, we win. 

Then, we go to the Bernabeu with a spring in our step.   3-5-2 formation with Enzo, Kovacic and Kante in midfield and two pacy attackers and we just have to stay in the tie going back to the Bridge!! 🤞🏼

(You watch us draw 0-0 to Wolves now having missed 25 chances and then get tonked 4-0 by Real Madrid 😆) 

[Bob Singleton]

2 minutes ago, Rob B said:

It’s not out of the realms of the possible that Lamps spends a couple of days on the training pitch firing them up, and the boost that the players clearly need is enough to brush Wolves aside.   For all his imperfections as a manager,  I bet our squad hold him in high regard.  Tactics/ formation obviously plays a part but let’s be honest, if we’re at it on Saturday, we win. 

Then, we go to the Bernabeu with a spring in our step.   3-5-2 formation with Enzo, Kovacic and Kante in midfield and two pacy attackers and we just have to stay in the tie going back to the Bridge!! 🤞🏼

(You watch us draw 0-0 to Wolves now having missed 25 chances and then get tonked 4-0 by Real Madrid 😆) 

Watching some videos on YouTube from his first season as manager, he at least had the likes of Willian, Pedro and Giroud who all knew where the goal was! As did Mount back then! Even Tammy wasn't too shoddy (last Chelsea player to score 10 or more goals in consecutive seasons).

We played some good, attractive attacking football back then (the downside being we were woeful in defence). If we can get some of that swagger back, improve on the finishing and tighten up the defensive frailties he showed last time, we should be OK.

I can see us beating Wolves. As for Real Madrid; there'll be lots of nice words from Lamps regarding Ancelotti, and vice-versa, but Carlo is as ruthless and cunning as they come.

[ROTG]

1 hour ago, martin1905 said:

Completely unfair.

Look at Potters last 9 games, only 3 teams who were in the top half of the league and only Tottenham in the top 4.

Liverpool (a)

Fulham (h)

West Ham (a)

Southampton (h)

Tottenham (a)

Leeds (h)

Leicester (a)

Everton (h)

Villa (h)

Our next 9 games which have  6 teams in the top half but also  the entire top 4 and 5 of the top 6.

Wolves (a)

Brighton (h)

United (a)

Brentford (h)

Arsenal (a)

Bournemouth (a)

Forest (h)

City (a)

Newcastle (h)

The only two teams we have beaten this season, that we have left to play are Bournemouth and Wolves.

Potter achieved 9 points in the reverse fixtures so that would be a better guide on how to judge Frank, if you feel the need to.

 

You are probably right, however being short of time  i am going for 5 games highlighted games as wins for SFL and 15 points which is an upward trend - With MM being reinvigorated by SFL and hitting the onion bag at least four time in the last remaining games :0) 

[Box of Tricks]

I think we've done the right thing getting aboard the good ship interim - just gives everything a bit of time and space.

Promoting from within didn't look to have too many upsides, so Frank seems like an extremely convenient choice.

Had written the season off. My expectations haven't massively changed, but I'm now looking forward to the next month or so.

 

3 hours ago, Ham said:

If his first 11 includes Havertz as a striker, I'm done. 

 

That's the only test he needs to pass in my eyes.

[Bob Singleton]

Regarding Havertz...

According to Potter's last four or five press conferences, Aubameyang was injured (although no specific injury was mentioned that I can recall). It may be the case that he is injured (or returning from injury). Furthermore, he's not in the CL squad list. Nor is D Fofana, our only other 'striker'. With the Madrid game coming up, I can't see a reason why either - should they be fit and available - would be picked against Wolves tomorrow. If we fail to go through against Madrid, then if either  Auba or Fofana show the necessary qualities in training, then of course they should be considered. Lampard has in the past shown a preference for No9s in the No9 spot (Giroud and Abraham) and I seem to recall he originally wanted Auba when that triangular pass-the-parcel of Batshuayi to Dortmund, Auba to Arsenal and Giroud to Chelsea happened in Jan 2018

[JaneB]

A bit of time to mull things over and what I knew would happen has happened 🙂 😞

I'm really excited about things again and got myself fully emotionally invested in Frank which actually isn't good.  Just to see the excited smiling look on his face and the hope that his presence will have a positive effect on MM (and others).

The thing is, and this is no reflection on Frank, I don't think we will beat RM let alone win the CL, nor do I think our league position will significantly improve.  There's very little time to turn things around.

I doubt Frank would stay on as someone's No. 2, so I'll have to get used to losing him all over again.

I think this honeymoon period of a few days is the most enjoyable I can hope for 😞 

 

[chara]

Not seen it anywhere else but only just tuned in.

For me a massive unheralded bonus was that the ALL KNOWING insider knowledge and expertise reeking MEDIA had no F'ING idea or clue about Frank until it was all pretty much done and dusted!...Sweet Sweet one finger salute to all of them!!!

The scrambling to catch up was a joy to watch!

Edited April 7, 2023 by chara

[ROTG]

3 hours ago, Box of Tricks said:

Promoting from within didn't look to have too many upsides,

About time neil bath started to champion the like Myers and makelele to move up to the first team coaching set up. 

[Mark Kelly]

26 minutes ago, ROTG said:

About time neil bath started to champion the like Myers and makelele to move up to the first team coaching set up. 

Why? 

[kev61]

Delighted Frank is back in any capacity.As an interim manager I think it's a good idea,certainly better that watching the ringmaster(Potter)making a circus out of this great club.

I'm not saying Frank is the long term solution ,but I think he is the right solution for now - what is the alternative?.

If nothing else Frank will try his best to get Mount fired up again.

[ROTG]

14 hours ago, Mark Kelly said:

Why? 

The club over the years normally had someone on the coaching staff, who a club selection rather than one who comes in with the head coach, steve clarke, rdm, steve holland all held the fort when a coach & his coaching team was fired. This time the club got caught with its pants down.

Also one assumes the like of Myers and Makelele have all their coaching badges, and been with the academy for years,. I am sure one of them would like an opportunity to move to the first team coaching staff or maybe not.

Not forgetting As they are Chelsea through and through there are no better persons to get message of what it means to play Chelsea through to the new recruits 

[exiledblue]

Frank is not the future but he may be able to regain a bit of pride that Potter lost.

I feel more positive we can win a few games that Potter would have given up as a loss and explained away starting with Wolves

[thevelourfog]

17 hours ago, chara said:

Not seen it anywhere else but only just tuned in.

For me a massive unheralded bonus was that the ALL KNOWING insider knowledge and expertise reeking MEDIA had no F'ING idea or clue about Frank until it was all pretty much done and dusted!...Sweet Sweet one finger salute to all of them!!!

The scrambling to catch up was a joy to watch!

A fair few in the media were reporting from Tuesday evening, in fairness. This one might be more a case of lots of other journos and supporters just not paying attention initially. And who could blame them, it still sounds crazy!

[Holymoly]

I find it disgusting that any Chelsea fan, be it here or elsewhere in the media, has a negative view of Lampard being appointed until the end of the season. I can quite see the rationale of not making a permanent appointment at this stage of the season and I will explain that in a bit. Potter went, quite rightly, there was clearly no benefit to keep him any longer. Form was being affected, there was no coherent plan to see the season out and certainly nothing to show development into future seasons. I've said it previously and I'll repeat it again, I'm not against Potter per sé however his coaches either weren't capable or else refused to train the players properly after have been dragged out of Brighton. Either way we were left with Bruno who wass only ever going to coach in the mould of Potter. The end result being that we would continue the descent into below mediocrity but without the "nice guy" at the helm. Lampard being prepared to accept the short term gig at least will improve squad morale. Even if we lose every single game we won't be affected to the detriment but that isn't going to happen. There is no damage that Lampard's appointment will bring to the club. His appointment will only improve things and bear in mind the alternative was Bruno.

Frank is a holding manager, one that will improve the quality of the squad for the permanent manager to take over in June. OK, so why not appoint a permanent manager today?

1. The all knowing media didn't have a clue about Lampard, apparently talks had been going on since February. Consequently the media are writing their drivel possibly as retribution for not giving the heads up ahead of the appointment. Maybe the man we're after for the permanent post isn't actually on the radar and isn't available until the summer.

2. Even if the target is Nagelsmann maybe we don't want to pay Bayern for a man who isn't actually even their manager anyway.

3. There is a coherent argument to be made for not appointing a permanent manager at this stage of the season. If he comes in and loses a few key matches, Madrid, United, Arsenal, City, maybe by a significant margin then it will damage his respect within the squad and also have the bleating supporters immediately crying for his sacking. Not a good start for next season.

The target for the remainder of this season is to rebuild player's flagging confidence, demonstrate to the board which players are capable of driving the club forward and which are earmarked to be sold in the summer and leave the players in a good place and looking forward to pre-season with a new manager and new ideas. If in this time we can also gain a couple of headline results then all the better. But do you know what? That was never going to happen with Bruno but Frank just might be able to pull it off. If he does he leaves with his head held high. Good luck to him I say, and so should every true Chelsea supporter.

[ROTG]

Just throwing it out there.

One assumes FL will be coaching the squad to his formations and tactics e.g. the use of a real no 9.

Do any of the candidates for the permanent job plays  similar formation & tactics?

Just thinking aloud that maybe bringing in Frank in is a cunning plan to make the transition for the new coach easier "doesn't have to reinvent the wheel from day one, because FL has done the donkey work"

[McCreadie]

25 minutes ago, ROTG said:

Just throwing it out there.

One assumes FL will be coaching the squad to his formations and tactics e.g. the use of a real no 9.

Do any of the candidates for the permanent job plays  similar formation & tactics?

Just thinking aloud that maybe bringing in Frank in is a cunning plan to make the transition for the new coach easier "doesn't have to reinvent the wheel from day one, because FL has done the donkey work"

Would make sense. Almost like starting the tactical part of pre-season now, instead of July. I think the CL will be a free hit for Frank and am sure that, further than that, he would be willing to do whatever the club need. The catch is that we don’t appear to have an appointment yet (probably) and by the time we do, there might only be 4 or 5 games left. 

[McCreadie]

50 minutes ago, Holymoly said:

I find it disgusting that any Chelsea fan, be it here or elsewhere in the media, has a negative view of Lampard being appointed until the end of the season. I can quite see the rationale of not making a permanent appointment at this stage of the season and I will explain that in a bit. Potter went, quite rightly, there was clearly no benefit to keep him any longer. Form was being affected, there was no coherent plan to see the season out and certainly nothing to show development into future seasons. I've said it previously and I'll repeat it again, I'm not against Potter per sé however his coaches either weren't capable or else refused to train the players properly after have been dragged out of Brighton. Either way we were left with Bruno who wass only ever going to coach in the mould of Potter. The end result being that we would continue the descent into below mediocrity but without the "nice guy" at the helm. Lampard being prepared to accept the short term gig at least will improve squad morale. Even if we lose every single game we won't be affected to the detriment but that isn't going to happen. There is no damage that Lampard's appointment will bring to the club. His appointment will only improve things and bear in mind the alternative was Bruno.

Frank is a holding manager, one that will improve the quality of the squad for the permanent manager to take over in June. OK, so why not appoint a permanent manager today?

1. The all knowing media didn't have a clue about Lampard, apparently talks had been going on since February. Consequently the media are writing their drivel possibly as retribution for not giving the heads up ahead of the appointment. Maybe the man we're after for the permanent post isn't actually on the radar and isn't available until the summer.

2. Even if the target is Nagelsmann maybe we don't want to pay Bayern for a man who isn't actually even their manager anyway.

3. There is a coherent argument to be made for not appointing a permanent manager at this stage of the season. If he comes in and loses a few key matches, Madrid, United, Arsenal, City, maybe by a significant margin then it will damage his respect within the squad and also have the bleating supporters immediately crying for his sacking. Not a good start for next season.

The target for the remainder of this season is to rebuild player's flagging confidence, demonstrate to the board which players are capable of driving the club forward and which are earmarked to be sold in the summer and leave the players in a good place and looking forward to pre-season with a new manager and new ideas. If in this time we can also gain a couple of headline results then all the better. But do you know what? That was never going to happen with Bruno but Frank just might be able to pull it off. If he does he leaves with his head held high. Good luck to him I say, and so should every true Chelsea supporter.

Well said.

[Mark Kelly]

I wonder what would happen if Carlo came back , would Frank then be retained as his right hand man and would be accept the role to rebuild his reputation some more ? Maybe as touched on above by @Holymoly the new coach isn't available yet which is why Frank is now here.

[Mark Kelly]

New coaching team confirmed as SFL , Ashley Cole , Joe Edwards and Chris Jones  until the end of the season.

[Thiago97]

For all the talk about Carlo being an option. I think he is a very good manager within his narrow field.

What I mean by that is, with top level experienced players. I don’t see Carlo as a builder of teams with young players, more a very experienced pair of hands who can manage elite level players . Carlo was perfect for what we were when he was here first time around, and we played arguably the best football we have seen during the peak of that reign.

Whilst I rate him highly as a manager. I would have severe reservations about this being the right appointment for where we are right now. 
 

[exiledblue]

Frank says it will take time...time we do not have. Blow it on Wednesday and we may aswell head for the beach

How is it CL winners to Super Cup winners have become so bad?

Its not anything against the owners...they have changed.

Its not against the coach...they have changed

[Mark Kelly]

23 hours ago, Thiago97 said:

For all the talk about Carlo being an option. I think he is a very good manager within his narrow field.

What I mean by that is, with top level experienced players. I don’t see Carlo as a builder of teams with young players, more a very experienced pair of hands who can manage elite level players . Carlo was perfect for what we were when he was here first time around, and we played arguably the best football we have seen during the peak of that reign.

Whilst I rate him highly as a manager. I would have severe reservations about this being the right appointment for where we are right now. 
 

There was an implication at one time that he's done well primarily from following on from Mourinho , JM would go into a club , get rid of the idiots , mould them into a side and then lose his job and Carlo would come in and steady things down .

Having seen that debacle yesterday he's got no chance here .

 

[Bob Singleton]

Maybe we should have sacked Potter a few weeks earlier and made Roy Hodgson interim?

[thevelourfog]

https://www.football365.com/news/james-corden-surprise-role-lampard-chelsea-insiders-fking-mess

I might go to sleep until August.

[Mark Kelly]

13 minutes ago, thevelourfog said:

https://www.football365.com/news/james-corden-surprise-role-lampard-chelsea-insiders-fking-mess

I might go to sleep until August.

 Nobody knows Chelsea like a corpulent universally despised West Ham supporter