Frank Lampard has taken his first job in football management.
Lampard has become Derby County manager, after agreeing to a three-year contract with the Championship club. The former Chelsea and England midfielder ended his playing career in February 2017, after a stint with New York City FC, and has since been working as a pundit for BT Sport and the BBC.
The 39-year-old replaces Gary Rowett at Pride Park after Rowett left to become Stoke City manager. Derby finished sixth in the Championship last season and lost in the playoffs to Fulham.
WATCH: Frank Lampard has been confirmed as @dcfcofficial's new manager, signing a three-year deal with the @SkyBetChamp club: https://t.co/sD7HwJkcOT https://t.co/oFSpCve3Fv
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) May 31, 2018
“I’ve always wanted to manage a club with a big tradition and history like Derby County, so this is a huge opportunity,” Lampard told the club’s website on Thursday morning.
“I have spent considerable time discussing the role and the club’s objectives with the chairman and board members. 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.”
Lampard is a Ram. 🐏 #WelcomeFrank pic.twitter.com/7q6nbiV09V
— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) May 31, 2018