“Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared, however, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead.

“I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started.”


The former Chelsea midfielder will bring his assistant manager at Derby, Jody Morris, with him as well as first team coach Chris Jones, both formerly at Stamford Bridge. In addition, ex Chelsea star Eddie Newton, who has been looking after the clubs’ loan players, will come onto the first team coaching staff.

Chelsea have agreed to pay Derby £4 million in compensation for the remaining two years of Lampard’s contract – with more on top to cover the departures of the other coaches.

The 41 year old will be unable to sign players, with Chelsea under a two window Fifa embargo from after irregularities in signing youth players. The club are appealing but have not asked for the ban to be frozen.

Former Chelsea hero Lampard scored a record 211 goals for the club in 648 games after joining from West Ham in 2001.









In his first and only season as a manager so far, Lampard led Derby to the Championship play offs after finishing sixth last season, but they lost in the final to Aston Villa.

But former Chelsea midfielder Emanuel Petit last night sounded a warning, saying: “Somewhere in my mind I have a feeling the Chelsea job could have come too soon for him. We saw what he brought to Derby, leading them to the playoffs but they ended up failing to earn promotion.

“He’ll face increased expectation at Chelsea, and he knows this, having played for the club for so long.”

Derby are expected to turn to former PSV Eindhoven coach Phillip Cocu, who is set to sign a four year deal, as Lampard’s replacement.

Great, welcome back Chelsea legend. Wish you best of luck in your managerial career in Chelsea. I believe in your managerial skills