Manchester United vs Derby County: Frank Lampard says his former manager Jose Mourinho is ‘sackable’

Lampard and Mourinho won two Premier League titles during their time at Chelsea

Derby County manager Frank Lampard says that his former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, is ‘sackable’ at Manchester United because of his short tenure and lack of recent success.

Lampard and Mourinho shared five seasons together at Chelsea, where they won numerous trophies together at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles.

The former Chelsea midfielder is enjoying life at Derby, his first managerial venture after an illustrious career, and has them sixth in the Championship after a good start to the season.

The Carabao Cup has drawn Lampard against his former manager at Old Trafford and he know more than most about Mourinho’s ‘third season syndrome’. Mourinho’s side are already eight points behind Liverpool at the top of the table after a tricky start to the season.

Jose Mourinho’s side are already eight points behind Liverpool in the Premier League (Getty)

“We’re all sackable at any moment, I am, he is, every manager is.” said Lampard. “The fact is, any manager who goes beyond three years now is probably the exception to the rule.

“I don’t think it’s anywhere near specific for Jose – that’s the nature of how the game has gone,” he added.

“But at the same time, when he’s had the success he’s had, as long as he goes on, people are going to want Jose Mourinho as their manager.”

“Jose Mourinho does have a style, of course he does, but it will be a style to get the best out of players to win a game.

“I don’t know how he approaches things at Manchester United. I don’t know if his qualities are timeless, but we all adapt and change to circumstances.”

Mourinho, who won the Carabao Cup in his first season at Manchester United, says that Lampard has the ability to end Derby’s decade in the second-tier and clinch a long-awaited promotion to the Premier League.

“I don’t consider them favourites because it is really hard to do that in the Championship,” Mourinho said.

“But I think when Frank goes there he goes with the intention of being promoted. He has experienced players, he has good players coming from good academies like Chelsea and Liverpool.

Frank Lampard has made a positive start in charge of Derby (Getty Images)

“They are playing well, they are in the fight for promotion and we all know that a fight in that competition will be for promotion, for play-offs and will last until the end.”