Frank Lampard ‘most intriguing’ Ibrox manager candidate, ‘always had an affinity for Rangers’ – Matt Law
Frank Lampard has “always had an affinity for Rangers” and is “open” to potentially taking the Ibrox job, according to Matt Law.
The Telegraph journalist reported on the newspaper’s website on 3 October that the former Chelsea and Everton boss is on the list of candidates to replace Michael Beale who was sacked on Sunday (1 October) and is prepared to return to management after a difficult period back at Stamford Bridge last season.
Law calls the 45-year-old for England midfielder the “most intriguing” candidate for the job, with others who the club want to speak to including Philippe Clement, Pascal Jansen and Kevin Muscat.
But despite the “affinity” for the club, which has reportedly manifested itself in attending the 2008 UEFA Cup final and describing an appearance at Ibrox as the “best friendly” he’d ever played in, he will reportedly need assurances about the situation in Glasgow after “highly difficult” scenarios in his previous two jobs.
It has been suggested elsewhere that Chelsea’s record goalscorer is now “advancing” towards the job after multiple conversations with the club.
Name recognition
Lampard clearly has the profile just as Steven Gerrard did as two of the most famous footballers of their generation, and would command respect from the squad at Ibrox in the same way as his former England teammate.
But when the style of play at Ibrox needs an overhaul and a clear tactical plan there have to be question marks over whether he is the right man for the job at this stage.
Should he be appointed he might prove to be a revelation as Gerrard did, but it is still difficult to determine whether he is actually a good manager or not as yet.
After four senior jobs – Derby, Everton, and Chelsea twice – it is somewhat of a concern that nobody really knows if he is cut out for the role or not, as his detractors regularly point out he has done little more than maintain the status quo at any of his stops so far.
There are always enough mitigating factors for him to get the benefit of the doubt with many – a transfer ban at Chelsea in 2019, chaos at Everton, and even more upheaval on his return to Stamford Bridge last term.
But when the status quo at Ibrox is absolutely not going to cut it the club need somebody who is definitely going to improve the results and the football.
Maybe Lampard can do that but there doesn’t seem to be enough on his CV to prove it yet, so it has to go down as a risk if the club want to avoid yet another change next season.
In other Rangers news, a current Scottish manager has been highlighted as a “contender” for the role as well.