Lampard leads race to be new Derby boss
FRANK TO SUCCEED ROWETT
FRANk LAMPARD is on the verge of making a bold first step into management with Championship side Derby County. The former Chelsea midfielder, 39, has been interviewed for the position and is now the clear frontrunner — although owner Mel Morris has suggested he will take his time choosing a replacement for Gary Rowett, who left earlier this week to take charge of relegated Stoke.
Lampard, who retired as a player just over a year ago after a glittering career, has stepped up his pursuit of a job in management in recent weeks. He was linked with League One club Oxford, then held talks with Ipswich earlier this month but was unable to agree terms.
Derby have spoken to a number of other candidates with Championship experience. Brentford boss Dean Smith, Alex Neil at Preston, Paul Cook of Wigan and Millwall’s Neil Harris are thought to be on the Rams’ shortlist.
Former Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy is also available and Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill is another man in the frame.
But Lampard — who is on the BBC’s roster of World Cup pundits — has now completed his A Licence and looks sure to take the Pride Park job. Some bookmakers suspended betting on Lampard yesterday, believing that his appointment is just a matter of time.
Lampard said recently: ‘I’ve spent a lot of time at Chelsea this year, gaining hours of experience. With the right opportunity and right timing for me, I’d take a very close look at management.
‘I’m keeping my eyes open in terms of what I want to do. No matter what level it is, I do think you have to come back down to the beginning and start learning again. I’m in that process.
‘I’ve worked quite hard at that and now I’ve got to wait for the right job. I’m trying to put together all the things I’ve learned from all my managers — and I’ve had a lot!
‘ Hopefully I can do that and create my own ideas and philosophies and see if I can make it work.’
Derby are expected to make an appointment next week and Morris has told friends he hopes to make an ‘exciting’ capture. Rowett guided the Rams to a sixth- place finish in the Championship last season. They lost in the play- off semi-finals to Fulham, who take on Aston Villa at Wembley today for a place in the Premier League.
The defeat by Fulham was Derby’s third play-off disappointment in five years. The club are tightening their belts significantly because of financial fair play regulations after owner Morris committed large sums in past seasons.