Lampard emerges as shock candidate for England Under-21 head coach

The Football Association will consider Frank Lampard as a shock candidate when they begin the search to find a new England Under-21 head coach.

Aidy Boothroyd's contract expires this summer and there is recognition that the time is right to make a change, on the back of what has been another bitterly disappointing European Championship.

Though the Under-21s can still qualify from their group in Slovenia, they face a huge task after defeats to Switzerland and Portugal, and Boothroyd will face questions about the team's performance.

This appears a natural time to move in a new direction and there are many within St George's Park who admire the work of Lampard, as well as coaching staff Jody Morris and Joe Edwards.

Whether Lampard, 43, would want to work in international football at this stage of his career is not yet known, as he made no secret of wanting another crack at club management after leaving Chelsea.

There is no question, however, that Lampard has the pedigree to inspire young players, and Gareth Southgate sang his praises in Albania on Sunday for his role in Mason Mount's development.

John McDermott, the FA's new Technical Director, will be in charge of finding the next Under-21 boss and there will be other candidates.

Steve Cooper – who led the Under-17s to World Cup success in 2017 – is doing an outstanding job at Swansea, while Paul Simpson, who oversaw the Under-20s World Cup success, also has outstanding credentials.

QPR boss Mark Warburton was considered as FA Technical Director before Les Reed was appointed in 2018, and is also in the frame.