Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson always expected Chelsea’s Frank Lampard would make a good manager - but hopes to make his own 300th Premier League match in charge one to remember.
Hodgson, 72, worked with Lampard during his time with England, and will now go head-to-head with the former midfielder in the dugout at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
"Frank Lampard has done a very good job, there is no question about that," Hodgson said.
"The club have done a good job in encouraging the manager and his staff to blood some of the players that had previously been out on loan. Everyone at the club deserves a pat on the back for that."
"I'm certain that Frank will be more than happy with how the team has started, the way the team has played and where they find themselves both in the Premier League and the Champions League. It is happy days for him I am sure."
Hodgson added: "I always had a lot of respect for Frank as a player and I am pretty certain he will make sure the football world has equal respect for him as a manager the longer his career goes on."
Lampard's strong start to his new role comes as no surprise to Hodgson, along with that of former England captain Steven Gerrard at Rangers; and he feels both men have the potential to one day take on the national job.
"When [Lampard] and Steven Gerrard went into management I had no doubt that they would succeed," the Palace boss said at a press conference.
"For me it was a question of whether they would go to a club that would give them a chance to really show they are great management material and are more than capable of doing the job."
nicbcilnt
3
Lamps struggled at the start of the season, some even started criticizing him. But now he's the talk of the show.
Batloru
1
It’s certain he will do great things in his managerial work 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽legend lampard
Nesaiknruy_Legend
3
150 IQ and a tactical genius of the game as a player. If you notice the most successful managers are mainly midfielders. They see the game form all views as the middle men. Frank has all the tools needed to be a good manager in terms of skill...
akomeah_obed
1
Well said Mr.Hodgson👍
duwbdeilns
5
for sure frank lampard will be a better manager in future considering the fact that he is proving slowly by slowly very soon he will reach the level of gurdiola and klope.......
sibeilmno
2
you guys loved Gerrard more than Lampard when they were both playing. Bias!! But now, you can see the difference.
Alfred-90G
4
Another 3 Solid points for the Lamp
Chima92
6
Frank L. is really surprising me. he has a batter Managerial tactics than Ole considering the fact that his club r on a transfer ban n he inherited a squad n made it better. Frank will be a legendary manager in future.