Frank Lampard was appointed Chelsea caretaker boss on Thursday ahead of their game against Wolves after Bruno Saltor took charge of the Blues against Liverpool
"It's nice to be back." The words uttered by Frank Lampard as he took his seat for his first Chelsea press conference set the tone for what followed.
There was a degree of familiarity as media members and the Blues boss exchanged nods and other greetings, while Lampard waited for a can of water to help him digest what had happened in the last 48 hours. He had once again been announced as Chelsea boss, even if just until the end of the season.
Lampard was in attendance at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night but still few would have expected that he would call the stadium home once again, at least until the end of the season. Things developed quickly on Wednesday and by Thursday morning a message was disseminated that at press conference was scheduled for 1.30pm, albeit without the details of who would be taking it.
A statement was ready to be released by the club from the morning of the press conference but as each hour went by and the afternoon came, uncertainty over when an announcement would eventually arrived. Journalists arrived with no official confirmation of what to expect and could only wait as time ticked by with no confirmation of Lampard's employment and the start quickly approaching.
It was hard to ignore the hint of a buzz around the Surrey training base. Half-term ensured that supporters were already waiting at the entrance of the training ground hoping for players' autographs and perhaps a glimpse of a returning legend, while the wry smile of security staff told you everything about the busy day they'd had and the hive of activity Cobham had been home to.
It was 1.23pm by the time Chelsea announced Lampard's return to the world and attention could turn to what he would say when he once again arrived in the hot seat after more than two years away.
There was no brashness when Lampard entered the room. Cordial greetings and a priority of a drink of water before the cameras to the waiting world were turned on. Lampard wasted little time in display his affection for the club.
"This is my club," said Chelsea's record goalscorer as he answered his first question.
There was little doubting his sincerity either. The coach, who was sacked by Everton in January, could not hide his smile when talking about his return and had to pause to compose himself when asked about what he will feel when the opportunity to be in the dugout arrives once again.
The 44-year-old was keen to impress that his knowledge of players and the club itself, from training ground to supporters would be of benefit but like Potter and Bruno before him, he would not be drawn away from the day-to-day mentality. Understandably so with the possibility of just 11 games in charge.
His enthusiasm for the job cannot be doubted however, in stark contrast to his predecessor. Now to see if that can be translated to the players, fans and the football pitch.
jetbciknrz
0
what us stunning about someone who has lost it all and never win anything in his career.
elkay23
2
All I know is that the Legend will deliver, he never disappoints, ahoi the gaffer
faydkmnpsu
0
it only until the end of the season Don't get carried away.
Yeah it’s just between now and 20th of may,less then 2 months
Tecaeluz
0
if our new coach is doing like potter it's not the coachs it's our players the are not playing well
vimabdmorz
0
He does well or worse, it only till the season over. PERIOD
vimabdmorz
0
it only until the end of the season Don't get carried away.
Coklnopsuy
0
Welcome back home. I believe your enthusiasm and positive body language and actions in and out of the field will rob off positively on the players, the coaching crew, fans and the new owners, which will surely translate to victories game after game till the end of the season. Best of luck to big boss Frank and the entire Chelsea Family.
d4nzd4n50n
0
Come up guys. Gv him a chance.. those legends willing to gv everything for their beloved club. They help the club during the transfer ban.
ManUnited-Red
2
Hope he can do worse then what Potter did 🔥🔥🔥
Chakhaba
2
Lampard replaced the person that replaced who replaced him, complete life circle🙈, he is going to start where he stop, his next game was Wolves and he got sacked and he is coming to start with wolves, Life no balance🥴 but what I know is lampard is going to do well because he has a pattern of playing attacking game, Chelsea used to scored goals with lampard and still the opponents used to scored goals with lampard, welcome home again legend💪
Buzeilntu
0
Welcome back legend!