Lampard returns to Chelsea

Frank Lampard was hired as the first English manager of Chelsea in 23 years yesterday, making a return to the club where he is the all-time record scorer from his trophy-laden 13 years as a player.

The appointment of the 41-year-old Lampard is something of a gamble -- he has had just one year in senior management at second-tier Derby last season -- and he is walking into a club that is under a year-long transfer embargo and has slipped well behind Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League pecking order.

Chelsea also recently sold their best player, Eden Hazard, to Real Madrid.

But it is a sentimental move Lampard and Chelsea just couldn't resist.

"Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared," Lampard said after Chelsea announced his widely expected arrival on a three-year contract. "I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started."

Lampard is a Chelsea great after scoring 211 goals from central midfield from 2001-14, during which he won every major honour at the club including three Premier League titles and the Champions League. He is associated with some of the best moments in the club's history, and admired for his work ethic and making the most of his talent.

New manager lampard

Lampard left Derby, where he came close to securing promotion to the Premier League in his first season in management, to become Chelsea's 12th coach in 16 years under Roman Abramovich's ownership (from 2003). He is the first English coach to manage Chelsea on a full-time basis since Glenn Hoddle in 1996.

As a replacement for Maurizio Sarri, who lasted only one tumultuous year at Chelsea before returning to his homeland in Italy to coach Juventus, Lampard returns to a club that will be in the Champions League and will look to close a gap of 26 points to City, the Premier League champion for a second straight season.