Frank Lampard Snr reveals pride of Chelsea legend son.. and jokes he hopes Derby boss knows where away dressing room is

The club’s record goalscorer bagged an incredible 211 goals in 648 games across 13 years.

Tonight he returns as a rival manager with Derby in the Carabao Cup.

But his dad Frank Lampard Sr fears his son will lose his way at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Sr, who will be sitting in the stands, joked to SunSport: “I hope he knows where the away team changing room is!

“He wasn’t at Chelsea as a kid so he certainly won’t have cleaned them.

“If he takes a wrong turn, kick-off could be delayed.


“It’s weird that he is going back so soon into his new life as a manager.

"There have been lots of coincidences already and he is only six months or so into the job.

“Going up to Manchester United and facing Jose Mourinho in this cup was strange too, given their relationship at Chelsea for so many years.

“It seems a lot has happened to him very quickly since he got the Derby job.

“Frank will enjoy it, whatever the result. But he will be determined to win because he wants to be successful.

“We talked about the possibility of him being drawn against Chelsea before the draw was made.

“Without sounding too defeatist, it’s a long shot that Derby will win the trophy.

“But to pit yourself against the best and biggest clubs in your first season as a manager will be a great experience for him and for the players.”

Lampard Jr, 40, went straight from studying for his coaching badges into a club still regarded as a major force.

Derby owner Mel Morris took a punt on a rookie, though Lampard has plenty of football knowledge to fall back on.

His dad was assistant at West Ham to Harry Redknapp, who is Frank Jr’s uncle. His cousin is former Liverpool skipper Jamie Redknapp.

And Frank Jr himself, of course, enjoyed a playing career that spanned 21 years.

Frank Sr added: “I knew he wanted to go into management, but didn’t see this happening so quickly. I was surprised, to be honest.

“But credit to Mel for seeing something in him to give him a go. Frank was a great player, but he had to work at it. That’s a characteristic he is taking into management.

“He is a bit different to Frank the player. I don’t see him so much nowadays and he is now responsible for 20 or 30 footballers rather than just himself.

“We talk on the phone and often I can tell he is thinking about Derby. He seems distant. But that’s the price of management. It consumes you.

“Yes, he could have sat in a TV studio as a pundit — you cannot really have a bad game in there — but instead, he has gone for it.

“Credit to his backroom staff of Jody Morris and Chris Jones. They have shop-floor experience and are a great help to him.”

Lampard Jr played under seven different full-time managers at Chelsea. He has drawn influences from them all, but one in particular, according to his old man.

Frank Sr said: “I’d say he is most like Carlo Ancelotti in his style. He can be ruthless.

“He’s probably not sleeping that well because he wakes up knowing he has to dig someone out, tell someone they’re not in his plans or address the team.

“But Frank will give people time. He won’t shout and he goes away, thinks about things then comes back with his thoughts. He is a listener.”

The sudden death of his mum, Pat, ten years ago had a seismic effect on young Frank, who was at the peak of his Chelsea career at the time.

His dad said: “Some things about Frank are still the same.

“His sister still lives around the corner from me and he will come over for Sunday dinner from time to time and we’ll watch the football.

“Frank asked my advice before taking this job.

“I know one thing for sure — if his mum was still alive, he’d have asked her first!”

Source: Read Full Article