HIDDINK BACKING FRANK T

FORMER Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink believes Frank Lampard is still the man to lift the blues at Stamford Bridge. The Chelsea manager goes into today’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Luton with his future coming under intense scrutiny after a dip in Premier League form that has seen the Londoners slip from top spot to eighth. Hiddink, the legendary Dutch coach who twice took charge at Chelsea when Roman Abramovich sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and Jose Mourinho, identified Lampard as having the potential to be a top-class manager.

Hiddink (right) said:

“Frank is a very honest and direct person.

“He was such a big player for Chelsea but he will understand that what you did as a player counts for very little when you become a manager.

“When you suffer some losses then it is natural to become worried. But I don’t see

Frank panicking in this situation. He is a very stable person who believes totally in himself.

“Every coach wants to be given time to put their ideas in place – and it is even more important when you are young. “Frank has proved himself. He did a good job in his first appointment at Derby and in his first season at Chelsea he qualified for the Champions League. “He is going through a difficult time at the moment but this is when things have to remain stable.” Hiddink, who has spent the last 35 over the world, is Curacao – at the

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Hiddink said: “recognised very player who had a on to become a

5 years coaching all s currently in charge of e age of 74. over at Chelsea in when Scolari was axed ntroversial Champions al exit at the hands of way goals he guided up glory. o Stamford Bridge in when Mourinho was Chelsea from 16th to right) was one of his rformers. “Working with Frank, I quickly that I had a all the qualities to go top coach. Off the pitch, he is a good person. On the pitch, he was always one of the most intelligent players.

“Frank was always one of the players I spoke to in the days leading up to a game to help me get my thoughts across to the squad.

“You see managers stood on the side, waving their hands at their players and shouting instructions.

“But for me, the plan had to be put in place in the days before the game – and when I spoke to Frank about what I wanted he was always able to understand. That, for me, is the sign of a footballer who’ll move into coaching.

“I respect Frank so much. I valued him as a big player and a big person.”

Chelsea went top of the table when they beat Leeds on December 5.

Since then they have lost five of eight games – and Lampard is now feeling the heat after a £200million investment last summer.

Hiddink added: “Many factors have to be considered before making a judgement.

“But the ultimate responsibility for results always lies with the coach – and Frank will understand that.”