Frank’s going through a tough time, but he’s got all the qualities to become a top manager GUUS HIDDINK

FORMER Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink believes Frank Lampard is still the man to lift the blues at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard goes into today’s FA Cup fourth-round clash with Luton with his future coming under intense scrutiny.

A dip in Premier League form has seen the Londoners slip from top spot to ninth.

Legendary Dutch coach Hiddink twice took charge at Chelsea after owner Roman Abramovich (right) sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari and Jose Mourinho.

Hiddink later identified Lampard as having the potential to follow in his footsteps.

And he is backing the club’s record goalscorer to turn Chelsea’s fortunes around – if he is given time.

Hiddink 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.

“He is also very honest and very direct. 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 years coaching all over the world, is currently in charge of Caribbean minnows Curacao – at the age of 74. He first took charge of Chelsea in February 2009 when Scolari (right) was axed – and, after a controversial Champions League semi-final exit, losing to Barcelona on away goals, he guided the club to the FA Cup.

He returned to Stamford Bridge in December 2016 when Mourinho was fired – and took Chelsea from 16th place to 10th.

Lampard was one of his most trusted performers.

Hiddink recalled: “Working with Frank, I recognised very quickly that I had a player who had all the qualities to go on to become a top coach. Off the pitch, he is a good person; on the pitch, he was always one of the most intelligent players.

“Tactically, he was very clever. As a coach, in my opinion, you need one or two players who are capable of recognising how you want the rest of the squad to work in terms of training and preparation.

“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 standing 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 can 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.

He guided the club to a top-four finish in his first season in charge – despite working under a transfer ban.

But the team have gone backwards, despite £200million investment last summer.

Hiddink said: “When it comes to signing players, there is a number of people who are responsible.

“A coach, of course, is part of the process – but it is also about the policy of the club to decide what kind of players you want to attract.

“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.”