Learner Lamps has little issues

HEADACHES: Lampard FRANK LAMPARD knew the big decisions would test him as he took his first steps in management.

But the former Chelsea and England star, who is eight months into his first job at Derby, admits it is the small things which have shocked him.

“I knew it would be tough, I knew there’d be surprises,” he said.

“You’re prepared for the big things people think matter – like selecting a team and getting a result – but it’s the number of those daily questions that I’ve had to adjust to more than anything really.

“How you travel to matches, how much time do you need to leave, how many meetings do you want, what kind of food do we want when we travel, do we want the food at the training ground?

“And you might not always get it right.

“I’m quite thoughtful, so I like to not make a decision straight away if I’m not sure, but you have to as a manager.

“You have to be decisive because there’s a lot to decide and people want you to lead the club.”

Lampard was decisive with his recruitment and has made Derby a much better side to watch than under Gary Rowett.

They have claimed the scalps of Manchester United and Southampton in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup this season.

But while much of the energy in the team comes from loan starlets Mason Mount and Harry Wilson, Lampard has hailed the part the seniors he retained have played in him finding his feet.

He said: “The young boys have done really well and hopefully will keep improving even more so.

“But I massively relied on the older ones – the Richard Keoghs, David Nugents, Craig Brysons and Craig Forsyths – because they have been here for years, they are experienced, they feel the club and I need their experience and qualities as much as I need the young lads.”

Lampard, 40, has surrounded himself with young coaches in Jody Morris, Chris Jones and Shay Given but plenty of world-class managers are just a phone call away.

“I’ve spoken a lot and I’m very close to Carlo Ancelotti,” he added.

“And obviously

Jose Mourinho.”