Pep: Freedom that Frank has is perfect

FRANK Lampard has had an excellent start to life as Chelsea manager.

The former England midfielder had only been in coaching a year with Derby County but the chance of returning to a former club that needed the spirit restoring to it after a turbulent year under Maurizio Sarri was too much to turn down.

While Lampard has an awfully long way to go on the road Guardiola has travelled, the City manager reminisced warmly about the freedom that comes at the beginning of the journey.

“From my experience, experience doesn’t count much,” said Guardiola. “I would say that when you know the club it is a good advantage and Frank Lampard knows Chelsea perfectly and everything behind the scenes – media, fans, players – so that is good. When I arrived [at Barcelona] not many people trusted me, honestly. Few, few people.

“Maybe Frank was similar at Derby. It was a big club, he didn’t take results in the beginning and people said he didn’t have experience. Look now.

“At the start when nobody trusts you it is perfect because you win every game - you cannot lose more. The problem is when you have to defend titles and what you have done in your career and nothing is enough.

“In Frank’s case or when I came and nobody trusts you, it is perfect, an ideal situation. When young coaches take over at big clubs it is normal for people to have doubts. At the big clubs you have incredible players so it is easier to do a good job in Chelsea or Barcelona.

“If you work a lot and have patience, the results and success can come.”