Frank Lampard claims he doesn’t socialise after games because he’s “a nightmare” if Chelsea lose.
Lampard has lifted the lid on the pressures of managing Chelsea and says his mood is determined by their results.
He says wife Christine gave up trying to make plans because he is such a grump if Chelsea are beaten.
“We’re not allowed to arrange dinners or any kind of get-together after games in case the worst comes to the worst because if we lose I’m a nightmare,” said Lampard.
“I can’t help it, it’s just par for the course.
“I had a year in the media, which was an absolute comedown from the pressures of playing and the pressures I get now, and as Christine will joke I was a much better, easier, relaxed Frank.
“What you need is a really understanding family.”
Lampard has a two-year-old daughter Patricia with Christine and two teenage daughters, Luna and Isla, from his previous partner Elen Rivas and says he is mindful of making time for them.
He is adamant he will not sacrifice his relationship with them for the sake of his coaching career.
“A little thing I’m trying to do for my own sanity because you can become overwhelmed by it, I don’t want to look back in years and say I absolutely sacrificed that for the sake of trying to do my job as well as I can,” he told Eddie Hearn in the Radio 5 Live Podcast ‘No Passion No Point’.
“I think there’s a balance you can do and you need an understanding family around you.
“With your children that’s a bit harder because they just want dad, they just want you to give them absolute attention and those are precious moments for me.
“I get home from work and I see their smiles. I know it’s a bit cliched, but it doesn’t half help you when you’ve had loads of problems throughout the day.”
Lampard is under pressure to deliver success because of Chelsea’s £220million transfer splurge and he admits he is putting his status as a club legend on the line.
“I can be really open about it and it helped me get the job,” he said. “Not many people get the job at Chelsea after one year at Derby.
“But I also think in my own way I deserved it for all the years I put in at the club as a player.
“I understand the pitfalls. I had to put my ego at the door a bit and say I might ruin what I achieved in 13 years to a degree because if it doesn’t go well here, I’ll be judged harshly and very quickly.”
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