Jose Mourinho return to Chelsea: 'It would be a great thing for the club' says Frank Lampard

The England midfielder would welcome the appointment of the Real Madrid manager

Simon Rice
Thursday 09 May 2013 14:03 BST
Comments
Jose Mourinho won two titles with Chelsea
Jose Mourinho won two titles with Chelsea (GETTY IMAGES)

Frank Lampard has become the latest Chelsea player to flutter his eyelashes in the direction of Jose Mourinho.

The current Real Madrid manager is widely expected to make a return to the Premier League this summer with the Blues, with some reports claiming a deal has already been agreed.

During his previous stint in west London he was hugely successful, lifting two Premier League titles before his shock exit in 2007.

Lampard was an essential part of Mourinho's squad back then and the England midfielder would welcome the chance to work with the 'Special One' again.

"I think it would be a great thing for the club," he said. "He is a successful manager and he would be a great thing for any club.

"It's hard to comment with the season still ongoing and with the manager not here or chosen yet. It would be easy to speculate.

"I have seen speculation before and a completely different manager walks through the door so you never know on that front.

"But he is certainly one of the greatest if not the greatest manager in world football."

Despite Lampard's overtures, there is no certainty that he will still be a Chelsea player even if Mourinho is appointed. The 34-year-old's current contract expires this summer and he is yet to sign a new deal. While at one time Chelsea were seemingly reluctant to offer new terms, that position is understood to have softened. Whether the appointment of Mourinho would increase Lampard's chances of staying is something the player himself is not sure of.

"I've always said that I wanted to spend all of my career here so I think everyone knows that," Lampard said.

"I honestly don't know [whether Mourinho's return would help my cause].

"We have got two weeks that will decide whether our season has been a successful one or not. That is the main focus.

"Of course Jose Mourinho would be a great manager for any club to have but I don't think it is right to talk about him while he is still Real Madrid manager."

Lampard's statement of affection for Mourinho follows that of John Terry. The Chelsea captain revealed he and Lampard were still in regular contact with their former boss.

"He's still 'The Special One'", Terry told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"We send each other text messages and often wish each other good luck. He's interested in our results and everything that happens at the club. He's not only in contact with me but also with (Frank) Lampard and other players."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in