John Obi Mikel was surprised when Frank Lampard was appointed Chelsea boss - because he thought John Terry would land the job first.
Now playing for Turkish side Trabzonspor, Mikel was a team-mate of Lampard and Terry at Chelsea during some of the club's best years, playing for the club from 2006 to 2017.
And while he always believed Lampard would make it as a manager, he says he thought Terry would be a top boss sooner.
Former Chelsea captain Terry is currently assistant head coach at Aston Villa, while Lampard was handed the reins at Chelsea this summer after impressing as Derby County manager last season, leading the club to the Championship promotion play-offs.
Lampard has blooded a number of youngsters since taking charge at Stamford Bridge, with Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount all selected in England's squad for this week's Euro qualifiers.
And Mikel has cheekily asked Lampard for a job at Stamford Bridge when he hangs up his own playing boots.
“I am very happy for Frank," Mikel told 61 Saat .
"When we were playing at Chelsea, we are expecting that John Terry and he would be very good managers, but we were expecting Terry to reach that level first. But Lampard made a big step.
“His arrival at Chelsea means the club are caring for their legends. I joked with him after the Chelsea move, I want to be his assistant when I retire.
"I hope he will be successful at Chelsea for many more years. I also want to see John Terry in similar jobs in the future because he was our leader on the pitch.”
Mikel won the Champions League, the Europa League, two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and a League Cup with Chelsea.
