Frank Lampard: Chelsea confirm stunning return of former midfielder as caretaker manager until end of season

Chelsea have confirmed the stunning return of former midfielder and manager Frank Lampard as caretaker boss until the end of the season. The London club fired Graham Potter on Sunday after the 2-0 loss to Aston Villa that left them 11th in the Premier League table. Bruno Saltor was named as the interim manager while the club conducted their search.

Ad They were initially linked to former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann as well as former Spain manager Luis Enrique. Premier LeagueNewcastle thrash woeful West Ham to continue Champions League charge16 HOURS AGO However, the club have now turned to Lampard, who was out of work after being sacked by Everton earlier in the season, to take the remaining matches and try to push the team into the European places. «It's a pretty easy decision for me,» said Lampard.

«This is my club, I have a lot of emotions here. I'm also a very practical person. I've been on a different path.

»I'm delighted to get the opportunity and thankful for that. I'm confident in myself. I have a good understanding of the squad and worked with a lot of them before.

«I have my idea about where I want to go. »Credit to Bruno who took the team and Graham Potter, who I don't know that well but he's a good man. I have my own ideas." Co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali added: «We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge.

Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club. As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season. »We want to give ourselves every chance of success and Frank has all of the characteristics and qualities we need