FORMER Chelsea star Branislav Ivanovic has backed Frank Lampard to take over as England manager one day – but hopes that he stays at Stamford Bridge ‘for life’.
The pair played together in West London between 2008 and 2014, winning six trophies along the way before Lampard departed for the Big Apple.
Chelsea icon Ivanovic played with Lampard between 2008 and 2014Credit: PA:Press Association
The Englishman has made a promising start at Stamford BridgeCredit: Reuters
But now that Lamps, 42, is back at the Bridge, impressed Ivanovic, 36, hopes that he never leaves again.
The Serbian, now at West Brom in the twilight of his career, said: “When Frank decided to become a manager, everyone who knows him knew he was going to be a success.
“He is the right person in the right place, not just for Chelsea.
“I hope he will stay at Chelsea for life, but for sure he could give to his country and be manager of the England national team.
“He knows football and has great ideas.
“I watch his interviews and you can see he understands the game, the things he needs to do and how to give belief to the group.
“It’s a massive job to understand football and to make the team play and work like you want.
“He has a good group of people around him to help him. He will be a success.
Ivanovic now plies his trade for West BromCredit: Reuters
Lampard won 106 England capsCredit: AFP
“He fully deserved to be Chelsea manager, not just because of his name.
“Of course I wish him all the best and for me he will always have a huge part (to play).”
Lampard returned to Chelsea in 2019 after guiding Derby County to the Championship play-off final in his first season as a manager.
He then secured a top-four finish for the Blues, before reinvesting the money received for the likes of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata into some top talent over the summer, raising expectations at Stamford Bridge.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
