Frank Lampard returns as Chelsea manager

Frank Lampard is back at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea manager.

Lampard made a return on Thursday as caretaker manager, until the end of this season.

The 2022/2023 season ends in June, which means the former midfielder will be in charge for less than three months, if Chelsea go all the way to the Champions League final.

The Premier league side is expected to settle on a permanent boss ahead of next season.

The permanent manager will replace the recently sacked Graham Potter.

Former Spain and Barcelona manager Luis Enrique and former Bayern Munich manager Julian Nagelsman are the front runners.

Chelsea co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said in a statement, they are delighted to welcome Lampard back.

"We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge. Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club. As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season. We want to give ourselves every chance of success and Frank has all of the characteristics and qualities we need to drive us to the finish line."

Lampard's first game in charge on his return will be an English Premier League encounter against Wolves.

"We have an important game against Wolves on Saturday and then we will turn our attention to our Champions League quarter-final in Madrid next week. We are all going to give Frank our full backing as we aim to get the best possible outcome from all our remaining games."

The caretaker manager holds legendary status at the Bridge.

He played for Chelsea from 2001 to 2014, winning a host of titles, among them three Premier League, a Champions League and a EUFA Europa League medal, before he left for Manchester City.

He returned to Chelsea in 2019 as manager, before being sacked in 2021 for poor results.

He said he is happy to be back at 'his club.'

"It was an easy decision for me because this is my club. I'm also a very practical person, I've been on a different path since I left Chelsea but to come back as I've been asked and be back here with a belief that I can help until the end of the season is really great. I’m delighted to get the opportunity and I'm thankful."

Lampard was sacked from the role of Everton manager last month.