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Football London
Football London
Sport
Amie Wilson

Next Chelsea manager: Former boss explains what makes Frank Lampard the right man for the job

Former Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo has thrown his support behind club legend Frank Lampard returning to Stamford Bridge as Blues manager.

The former midfielder is heavily tipped to replace the outgoing Maurizio Sarri in the dugout after the latter looks set to move back to his home nation in order to take charge of Italian giants Juventus.

Lampard has been in management for just one season, leading Derby County to the Championship playoff final in his first foray into the role and earned praise from around the game despite falling at the final hurdle in leading the club back to the Premier League.

There is slight trepidation among some Chelsea fans about the 40-year-old's lack of managerial experience in the game, but Di Matteo, who led Chelsea to their Champions League win in 2012, insists that appointing Lampard would be a good move.

"He's definitely the right man. He's got personality," the former blues boss said at the Costa Smeralda Invitational (reported by Goal ).

"I followed Derby last year and his team plays very good football. He's got all the experience in the world.

"It's a great fit. Whether it's right now or not, only time can tell that.

"You can say it is too early but you have to give people a chance.

"Frank has got all the tools and I think he will make a lot of people happy if he was the next manager."

Current Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been under fire for some time, despite winning the Europa League, achieving a third place Premier League finish and making it to the final of the League Cup. However, inconsistent performances have led to widespread criticism, with many Chelsea fans happy to see the Italian leave for pastures new, and Di Matteo is not surprised to see him move on either. 

"That's what the industry is like," he added.

"People are always moving. I'm not entirely sure what the details are but it looks like he wants to go back to Italy and he has probably had a good offer from Juventus - one of the biggest clubs in Italy and Europe. 

"But Chelsea will find a suitable manager to lead the team."

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