Derby County Hires Chelsea, England Legend Frank Lampard as New Manager
Derby County have officially hired former Chelsea and England superstar Frank Lampard as their new manager, handing the 39-year-old the first role of his coaching career.
Lampard has signed a three-year contract with the Rams and replaces Gary Rowett following his departure to Stoke.
"I've always wanted to manage a club with a big tradition and history like Derby County, so this is a huge opportunity. I have spent considerable time discussing the role and the club's objectives with the chairman and board members," Lampard told DCFC.co.uk.
"We want to build on the club's top six finish in the Championship last season, while at the same time bringing through some of the excellent youth and Academy talent we have at Pride Park.
"This is my first job as a manager, but I've worked closely with some of the best coaches in the game and I'm confident in my own abilities and those of the team around me, including the board.
"I know it won't be easy - managing a football team never is - but I'm really looking forward to the challenge ahead."
Derby reached the Championship playoff semi-finals under Rowett in 2017/18 and the target for Lampard will be to oversee a return to the Premier League after 10 years out of the division.
"I'm delighted to have someone of Frank's caliber as our new manager," Derby chief executive Mel Morris commented.
"I've always been an admirer of Frank both as a player and a person, especially in the way he conducts himself both on and off the pitch.
"That impression was only re-enforced when we interviewed him for this role, his passion and humility shone through in equal measure. The board were unanimous that he was the stand-out applicant with many highly desirable and unique capabilities.
"Few players have achieved what Frank has in his career to date. He's a winner, a leader who knows what it takes to succeed and who has the character and charisma to be a fantastic manager for us."
His move into management follow ex-England colleague Steven Gerrard's recent appointment at Rangers up in Scotland.
Since retiring from playing in 2016 after short spells with Manchester City and New York City, Lampard has been earning plaudits for his work as a television pundit. Off the field, he will shortly become a father for the third time after it was announced his wife, Christine, is pregnant.
