A former Manchester United player says the manager would deserve a second chance because of his importance to the club, should Rosenior be fired.
Stamford Bridge is again the center of speculation about the managerial position after the tough 3-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League, which left Chelsea in sixth place, six points behind Aston Villa in fourth, with only seven matchweeks remaining.
Rosenior is facing intense scrutiny as the club’s Champions League qualification hopes hang in the balance, while Lampard’s popularity is growing significantly during his current stint at Coventry. The 47-year-old manager is on the verge of leading the Sky Blues to the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League, as they sit atop the standings with a nine-point lead.
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt believes Chelsea’s hierarchy should consider a sensational return for Lampard if Rosenior is dismissed. On the “The Good, The Bad and The Football” podcast, Butt argued that Lampard’s first spell at Stamford Bridge was hindered by circumstances beyond his control.
He suggests the experience gained at Coventry, along with his existing affinity with the Blues’ fanbase, now makes him a much better-prepared candidate for the role.
Butt said: “Do you think if Frank Lampard gets promotion with Coventry, they could go back to Frank? I think the first time he was given the job too early. He had the transfer embargo, so he had to rely on a lot of young players. For me, it wouldn’t be a silly thing to put Frank Lampard back in charge of Chelsea.
He’s done a great job at Coventry. He’s got a little bit more experience now and has probably made some mistakes. Now he’d be a totally different coach. It would be easier for him to work with better players, easier to get his ideas across to more technical players. I think he’d do an incredible job, I really do.”
Lampard’s tenure as Chelsea manager began on July 4, 2019, but despite signing a three-year contract, he was fired on Jan. 25, 2021, after a spell marked by a transfer market restriction.
He returned as interim manager following Graham Potter’s dismissal in April 2023, but in that second spell, the club fell to a record low points total and finished in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1996. With a win percentage of just 9% in 11 matches during that disastrous stint, his reputation as a manager at Stamford Bridge was severely damaged until his recent tactical resurgence at Coventry.
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