Lampard: Our bosses deserve a fair chance

FOR Frank Lampard it is a badge of honour — but also a worrying sign of the times. The Chelsea manager was shocked to learn last week that he is only the second Englishman after the late Sir Bobby Robson to take charge in two Champions League campaigns. While the rookie boss is proud to be in such esteemed company, he hopes the next crop of homegrown coaches will not have to wait a generation for their own chance to cut it among Europe’s elite. ‘I don’t feel a responsibility for the English managers’ union, but I was surprised by the stat myself when I was told it, behind the great Sir Bobby Robson,’ admitted Lampard (below) after touching down in Russia ahead of tonight’s clash with Champions League newcomers Krasnodar. ‘With the brilliant invasion of great, quality coaches into the Premier League, sometimes I think our eyes go to that and it becomes new and trendy, and rightly so, because they have achieved so much. But sometimes I think we have managers at home that can do jobs as well. We are now seeing English managers showing their qualities throughout the Premier League. Hopefully there are more opportunities for them. ‘I don’t think of myself anywhere near being the standard-bearer or the front man for it because there are great managers and young coaches out there.’ Part of the problem, Lampard believes, is that English bosses — including himself — are judged more harshly than overseas counterparts. ‘When I got this job I think a lot of people were questioning me,’ said Lampard. ‘Being a young English manager with one year at Derby, some of that I understood. People can be very quick to form opinions for whatever reason. But I can’t get swung on opinion because if you do that managing a Premier League team, it will affect you every day.’ Lampard can help quash any discontent by getting his Chelsea side back to winning ways tonight in Russia after three successive draws, the last two of which have been goalless. KRASNODAR (4-2-3-1): Safonov; Smolnikov, Kaio, Martynovich, Chernov; Vilhena, Gazinskiy; Suleymanov, Sabua, Ramirez; Berg. CHELSEA (4-2-3-1): Mendy; James, Rudiger, Zouma, Chilwell; Kovacic, Jorginho; Ziyech, Havertz, Mount; Werner.