Frank Lampard missed out on the A ston Villa manager’s job to old rival Steven Gerrard, but has his eyes on the Leicester City post, according to reports.
Gerrard was named as Dean Smith’s successor last week, wrapping up a rapid process which saw the Liverpool legend appointed just five days after his predecessor was sacked.
The Liverpool legend was always Villa bosses’ top choice and sufficiently impressed to be handed a three-and-a-half year contract.
“It has been very clear in our discussions with him that Steven’s coaching ambitions, philosophy and values entirely match those of Aston Villa,” Villa’s CEO Christian Purslow said.
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“We are excited he has agreed to lead us in the next phase of our ambitious plans as we look to build on the progress made since Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens took over the club in 2018.”
But despite the quick process to hire the former Rangers boss, the Sun report that Lampard was also given an interview.
The ex-Derby and Chelsea manager has been out of the game since losing his job at Stamford Bridge at the start of 2021.
Since then, the 43-year-old has been linked with a host of jobs and interviewed for the vacant Crystal Palace position before Patrick Vieira was hired.
Lampard was also in the running to take over at Norwich City and interviewed with Carrow Road chiefs before removing himself from contention.
It is believed that the former England international is waiting for the perfect opportunity before returning to the dugout and sees Leicester as a club that matches his ambitions.
Any move to the King Power would of course be dependent on Brendan Rodgers moving on from the Foxes, with the Northern Irishman extremely secure after enjoying great success.
Rodgers has been touted as one of the frontrunners for the Manchester United job however, with various reports claiming he is on the Red Devils’ radar should Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lose his job.
According to the Manchester Evening News , Old Trafford bosses are resigned to the fact that they may be forced to wait until next summer with Rodgers unwilling to leave midway through a campaign.
He recently said on speculation linking him with United: “I’m sure the supporters are probably tired of looking at it.
“At Leicester, there is always a link, there is always an association.
“My focus is always here with Leicester, we’re trying to develop this football club onto that next level where you’re competing for European football and challenging for honours, and looking to do that consistently.
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“Everyone here at the club, from the chief executive to the director of football, the staff, the players, we’re all on the same path with the same vision.”
Eurosport claim that Lampard has ‘half an eye’ on the situation at Leicester, believing they have the profile and platform he would welcome.
It adds that while he had reservations about the jobs at Newcastle and Norwich, the chance to join a side competing for European spots is appealing to him.
