Joe Cole has urged his former Chelsea and England teammate Frank Lampard to steer clear of a return to Stamford Bridge, describing the prospect as 'insane' amid ongoing links with the managerial vacancy at the west London club.
Lampard's Coventry Triumph
Lampard, currently manager of Coventry City, has guided the Sky Blues to the Championship title, securing promotion to the Premier League for the first time in over two decades. The achievement has cemented his reputation as a capable manager after a mixed spell at Chelsea.
His previous stint at Chelsea lasted 18 months, largely under a transfer embargo, during which he helped develop the squad that later won the Champions League. He also served a brief period as interim boss under the club's current American ownership.
Cole's Warning
Following Chelsea's decision to sack Liam Rosenior, Lampard has been linked with a third spell at the club. However, Cole is adamant that Lampard should reject any approach. Speaking to Paddy Power, Cole said: 'Frank should stay away from it. The temptation for Frank, because he loves the club, would be to come back and give it another whirl.'
Citing Lampard's success at Coventry, Cole added: 'He's done a fantastic job at Coventry. Nobody would have backed Coventry for promotion at the start of the season. He's got a real challenge keeping them in the league next season. All of his focus and mental energy now should be about recruitment.'
Cole emphasised the lack of control at Chelsea, stating: 'If I was him, I wouldn't go to Chelsea. In any job, you're being judged on your results but [at Chelsea] you don't have full control over what you can do. That's insane.'
Chelsea's Managerial Search
Calum McFarlane has been placed in interim charge until the end of the season, with Chelsea still competing in the FA Cup and aiming for a top-five finish. The club's hierarchy has acknowledged the need for a more experienced manager, with names like Andoni Iraola and Cesc Fabregas also linked.
Criticism of the Rosenior appointment centred on his lack of experience and authority, which failed to command the dressing room. Chelsea now seek a figure with greater pedigree to stabilise the club.
