FRANK IN FRAME

Lampard is contender for England Under 21 job

THE Football Association will consider Frank Lampard as a shock candidate when they begin the search for a new England Under 21 head coach.

Aidy Boothroyd’s contract expires this summer and the FA recognise that the time is right to make a change — following another disappointing European Championship. Though the team can still qualify from their group in Slovenia, that looks highly unlikely after defeats by Switzerland and Portugal, and Boothroyd faces questions over his side’s performance.

It appears to be the ideal time to move in a new direction and there are many within St George’s Park who admire the work of Lampard, as well as his Chelsea coaching staff of Jody Morris and Joe Edwards. Whether « Lampard, 43, would want to work in

international football at this stage of his career is not yet known, as he made no secret of wanting another crack at club management after leaving Chelsea in January having spent 18 months in charge. That followed his year as Derby boss. But there is no question that Lampard has the pedigree to inspire young players, and Gareth Southgate sang his praises in Albania on Sunday for his role in Mason Mount’s development. John McDermott, the FA’s new technical director, will be in charge of appointing the next Under 21 boss. There will be other candidates including Swansea manager Steve Cooper, who led the Under 17s to World Cup glory in 2017, and Paul Simpson, who oversaw the Under 20s World Cup success.