Frank Lampard linked with a shock return to Chelsea after being spotted at Stamford Bridge for Liverpool draw

Frank Lampard could make a surprising return to Chelsea as interim manager until the end of the season, according to reports.

Lampard was in that stands at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening to witness his former team’s goalless stalemate with a Liverpool side without the likes of Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who all started on the bench.

In what was a largely drab affair in London, Chelsea had goals from Reece James and Kai Havertz either side of half-time chalked off for offside and handball, respectively.

But wayward finishing at the top end of the pitch continued to plague the Blues in their first game since sacking Graham Potter on Sunday.

The occasion, however, was marred by some hateful chanting coming from a section of the home supporters, who could be heard referencing the Hillsborough disaster which prompted statements from both clubs, as well as the Premier League, condemning the actions.

Potter’s former assistant, Bruno Saltor, took charge of the team on the night and is believed to remain in the role until a permanent replacement is found.

Among the names linked with the job are ex-Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino, Luis Enrique, and former Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann, who was recently replaced by Thomas Tuchel, the man who Potter replaced at Chelsea in September.

However, a report in The Sun suggests that Blues owner Todd Boehly could move to reinstate the Blues’ all-time record goalscorer in the dugout at Stamford Bridge as a caretaker boss until the end of the campaign.

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Chelsea, under former owner Roman Abramovich, sacked Lampard in January 2021 after just a season and a half in charge.

In that time, Lampard guided Chelsea to a top-four finish and the FA Cup final during his first season, despite arriving back in the midst of a transfer embargo that meant he was unable to bolster the squad.

He was able to bring in new players in his second season, but the writing appeared to be on the wall for the Chelsea legend after a run of five defeats in eight league games.

Most recently, Lampard was in charge at strugglers Everton, where he lasted just under a year before being axed as the Toffees found themselves languishing around the relegation places.

After the game with Liverpool, Salter was asked if he expected to still be in charge for Saturday’s trip to Wolves, to which he responded: "As it stands I just expect to go home to rest and focus on hour by hour, day by day.

"The owner knows the staff are going to be as professional as we can. We try to represent this club the best we can. We know the standards here and what is demanded."

Topics: Frank Lampard, Chelsea, Liverpool, Premier League

George Nash