Lampard keeps Chelsea options open after Emenalo exit

Frank Lampard has not ruled out replacing Michael Emenalo as Chelsea’s technical director.

Lampard is reportedly being lined-up by the club after Emenalo’s surprise departure from the role on Monday, ending a 10-year stint with Chelsea.

After retiring from playing in February, Lampard has been undertaking his coaching badges with Chelsea’s U18s coach Jody Morris, and has admitted he would love to make a permanent return to Stamford Bridge.

“I worked with Michael for seven or eight years and his role at the club coincided with the most successful period in Chelsea’s history so I think he deserves a lot of credit from that,” said Lampard.

“Everyone at Chelsea wishes him well as he moves on.

“In terms of myself, I don’t know. I’m a Chelsea person, I’d love to be involved with the club long-term in some way. We’ll see.”

Despite staying coy on the vacant technical director position, the 39-year-old admits that the Chelsea manager’s job would be his dream role.

“I need to learn, having played for 20 years doesn’t necessarily make you a great manager, so I have to learn the ropes, but I would love to be able to put my experiences as a player,” Lampard said.

“Of course, having been in Chelsea for so long, that would be the club, that would be my dream, but that’s not an easy path.

“I’ve worked with many managers so I’d like to think that I could take the good and the bad from all the managers I’ve had and find my own way.

“I would love to work with young players and try and improve them not just as players but as young people.”