Former Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink believes that a “more seasoned and more equipped” Frank Lampard should be appointed as the club’s permanent manager.
Lampard was appointed as the club’s temporary manager on Thursday, after Graham Potter’s resignation following a spate of bad performances that left the team 11th in the Premier League.
“I would want him to be regarded not only as an interim coach, but also to be given the confidence to continue with the project next season,” Hiddink told the Telegraph in an interview published on Friday.
“He understands the club like no one else, and it’s critical to keep things running smoothly. Lampard, like everyone else, will need time. Chelsea has spent a lot of money but now has to adapt to a new vision.”
Chelsea won the FA Cup final and finished fourth in the Premier League under Lampard in the 2019-20 season, but the next year was poor despite the club investing lavishly on players such as Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, and Hakim Ziyech.
“Maybe it was too soon to take on such a great responsibility,” said Hiddink, who trained Lampard as Chelsea’s temporary manager in 2009.
“He had just begun his coaching career, and now that he has gained more experience, he is more and more equipped. Let him to do his job! I know him and believe he is the proper guy.”
