Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck believes Frank Lampard enjoyed a 'very successful' debut campaign as manager of the club despite a tough end to the season.
After joining as manager from Championship side Derby last summer, Lampard guided Chelsea to a top-four finish to secure Champions League football next season.
However, their campaign ended in huge disappointment after falling to defeat in the FA Cup final against Arsenal before getting thrashed 7-1 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the last-16 of the Champions League.
But Chelsea's hierarchy have been left more than impressed with Lampard's first season and are extremely excited about what the future holds at Stamford Bridge.
'In the end we think it was a very successful season,' Buck said. 'I think obviously we would have been a little bit happier if we had won the FA Cup.
'But I'm sure the manager and the players were gutted not to lift the trophy.'
Lampard and Chelsea will be desperate to kick on even further next season and they made a statement of intent in the transfer market by snapping up Timo Werner for £53million and Hakim Ziyech for £38m.
And the Blues are also looking to wrap up a mega-money £90m deal for Bayer Leverkusen and Germany star Kai Havertz.
Chelsea are looking to make inroads on England's elite, Liverpool and Manchester City, and Buck is enthused about what's in store.
'Frank Lampard is a very positive force for Chelsea,' added Buck.
'He's Chelsea through and through and that continues to show through. He carries a lot of credibility. It's an exciting time for Chelsea.'
