Lampard set for Derby with Jody Morris as No 2

FRank LAMPARD is expected to be named as Derby County’s new manager today. The Chelsea legend is in advanced talks with the Championship club over what would be his first role in management.

Jody Morris, Chelsea’s successful Under 18s boss, could join his former Stamford Bridge team-mate as assistant manager. Morris ( right) has impressed at Chelsea, winning the Fa Youth Cup in both his seasons in charge.

Work was being done on contractual issues yesterday as Lampard had already signed up to be a World Cup pundit for the BBC.

He was in kiev for the Champions League final as BT Sport analyst and spoke about the prospect of joining Derby.

‘There’s been interest from Derby and I’ve been speaking with them,’ he said. ‘I’m ambitious and I want to become a manager at some point in my career.

‘It’s a big club, with a big tradition and a big history, which I really like. We’ll carry on speaking when I go home, and we’ll see.’

Lampard has been completing his UEFA a Licence with assistance from Chelsea, who gave him frequent access to their Cobham training base. The 39- year- old has also assisted Morris’s Under 18s training sessions in recent months.

It is understood Lampard will travel to Derby today for a tour of facilities and to meet the club’s owner, Mel Morris.

Previous Derby boss Gary Rowett left to join Stoke after the play-off defeat by Fulham, but Mel Morris wants to push for promotion again. The businessman, who made his fortunate through mobile phone game Candy Crush, has invested significantly in the past but Lampard will have to manage a stricter budget due to financial fair play regulations.

Derby are still planning to commit to a wage bill which would be among the eight highest in the Championship.

Lampard has previously spoken about his desire to follow Steven Gerrard into management after his former England team- mate took over at Rangers this month.

Lampard said at the time of Gerrard’s appointment: ‘ I’ve spent a lot of time at Chelsea this year, gaining hours of experience. With the right opportunity and timing, I’d take a very close look at it.’ Meanwhile, Derby’s Championship rivals Ipswich have appointed Shrewsbury’s Paul Hurst as their new manager. Hurst guided Shrewsbury to the brink of the Championship on a tight budget, but lost the League One play-off final to Rotherham on Sunday.