Chelsea legend Frank Lampard has returned to the London club as its new head coach on a three-year-deal.
The 41-year-old will replace Italian boss Murauzzio Sarri, who left to take charge of Serie A champion Juventus last month.
Considered one of the greatest players to have ever played at Stamford Bridge, Lampard left the Blues in 2014 having won three English Premier League titles during 13 years at the club.
“I am immensely proud to be returning to Chelsea as head coach,” said Lampard, who made 648 appearances.
“Everyone knows my love for this club and the history we have shared. However, my sole focus is on the job in hand and preparing for the season ahead.
“I am here to work hard, bring further success to the club and I cannot wait to get started.”
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‘One of the most talented young coaches’
The former England international spent last year as manager of Derby County, which plays in the second tier of English football.
He guided his side to the Championship play-off final — considered the most expensive match in football — where his side lost to Aston Villa.
“It gives us great pleasure to welcome Frank back to Chelsea as head coach,” said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.
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“Frank possesses fantastic knowledge and understanding of the club and last season, he demonstrated he is one of the most talented young coaches in the game.”
The new Chelsea boss will be unable to sign any new players for the next two transfer windows after FIFA upheld a banrelating to its signing of foreign minor players.
Chelsea launched an appeal to Switzerland’s Court of Arbitration for Sport over the transfer ban.
To make matters worse, the Blues also lost star player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid earlier in the window.
