Frank Lampard may need to take a step down in the English pyramid to revive his managerial career.
That’s the view of his uncle and legendary Premier League boss Harry Redknapp, who insists the Chelsea icon still has a lot to offer on the touchline.
It’s been over a year since Lampard was last in the dugout as a managerGetty
Lampard, a three-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner, first managed Derby County in the 2018/19 season ahead of a return to his beloved Chelsea a year later.
The former midfielder spent 18 months at Stamford Bridge – taking them to the FA Cup final in 2020 – before being dismissed in January 2021.
He then joined Everton, but was relieved of his duties at the beginning of 2023 having lost 24 matches of his 44 games in charge.
His last spell came as Chelsea caretaker boss at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, however he won just once in 11 matches, with a return to the dugout yet to be sealed.
As a result, ex-West Ham and Tottenham boss Redknapp has hinted that his nephew’s next job may need to come in the Championship.
“He’s got so much to offer,” he told Jeff Stelling and Ally McCoist on talkSPORT Breakfast. “He knows the game.
“He’s a fantastic professional, the best trainer I’ve ever seen, honestly I’ve never seen anyone with that attitude in my life, it was incredible.
“It’s time he got… I think he thought he had a big chance with the Burnley job that Scott got, Scott Parker, and I think, was it between the two of them that time?
“There’s got to be somewhere, he might have to come back in the Championship somewhere, but it’s got to be the right club where he’s got a chance to go and do something.
“Because that’s important, you know yourself, you take the wrong club, the wrong job, it can finish you very quickly now can’t it? He needs to make a success of his next job, for sure.”
Redknapp has explained what his nephew’s next step could beGetty
He also commended his professionalism and says he may need a Championship return
Lampard told talkSPORT earlier in the year that he’s ready to get involved againGetty
Stelling suggested it would be nice to see Lampard involved with England in some capacity, leading Redknapp to say: “Absolutely, absolutely.”
However, when he was asked if he knew whether the FA spoke to Lampard for the manager’s job before they hired Thomas Tuchel, who replaced him at Chelsea in 2021, he stated: “No I don’t… I doubt it.”
Lampard guided Derby to the Championship play-off final in his one and only season at the club, but they lost 2-1 to Aston Villa.
The 46-year-old’s first stint at Chelsea saw them finish in the Premier League top four despite a transfer ban and the legendary Eden Hazard’s exit to Real Madrid.
He had them sitting top of the league table in December 2020, but a run of two wins from eight matches led to his departure.
Lampard joined Everton at the start of 2022 and was on hand to secure their Premier League status during a tough relegation battle.
However, Sean Dyche replaced him after just a year at Goodison Park, with the Chelsea and England legend awaiting his next opportunity.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT in June, Lampard revealed that although he has turned down offers this year, he’s ready to make a comeback.
“Some opportunities have come my way, they didn’t feel right for the time. So I’ve kind of taken that decision a bit at times,” he said.
“But now I feel ready so we will see what opportunities come up. I’m certainly ready to work. I love doing what I do, so we will see.”
