Frank Lampard tipped to succeed Emma Hayes as Chelsea women's manager
One, two, three times the charm it could be for Frank Lampard at Chelsea, with the club legend said to have the credentials to succeed Emma Hayes as Chelsea Women manager when Hayes departs the role at the end of the season.
After more than 12 years at the helm, Hayes has built one of English women's football's most successful dynasties, having won six Women's Super League titles, five Women's FA Cups, two Continental Cups, the Spring Series and the Community Shield, while reaching a Champions League final.
The 47-year-old, who is leaving the club to become the next USA women's national team manager, led Chelsea to an unprecedented fourth consecutive WSL title last season and is on track to seize a fifth title on the bounce this season while keeping her team competing on all fronts.
Which candidate can replace Hayes and maintain Chelsea's dominance has been one of the hottest topics of the season.
And according to former Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen, it's Lampard who has the ideal credentials to lead Chelsea Women into a new era of profound success.
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"I do have a name in mind but I've never heard anyone throw it out there... Frank Lampard," Christiansen said while speaking to ..
"He's somebody who knows the club inside out. From my experiences at Everton, listening to him speak, he's the right type of character. His level of communication and knowledge of the game could be really effective and I think you've got someone well accustomed with what it means to be Chelsea."
Christiansen added: "I don't have any knowledge on whether he'd want it or not but it makes sense to me. To be honest, I sit in a party where it doesn't have to be a female, doesn't have to be a male — it just needs to be the right person for the job.
"There's no gain in Chelsea going, 'Right, let's pigeonhole this, it has to be a female'. If they want to continue or attempt to continue the dominance they've had domestically, it has to be the correct appointment."
Joe Edwards and Frank Lampard (Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC)Lampard's tenures in the Chelsea dugout have proven to be a mixed bag. The club's record goalscorer, who has been out of work since departing Chelsea in his interim role last season, initially led the Blues to a top four finish despite being restricted by a transfer ban.
However, after club hierarchy spent big the following summer, Lampard failed to live up to heightened expectations and was axed with the west Londoners in mid-table.
The former midfielder was called upon again on an interim basis last year after the sacking of Graham Potter under Todd Boehly's new ownership. The decision to rehire Lampard left fans with reservations, and they were right. The team finished an abysmal 12th in the league with a record of one win in 11 matches. They were also eliminated in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final by Real Madrid.
Lampard helped guide Everton through a tumultuous season and eventually secure safety, though he was sacked in the following campaign having managed the second-lowest win percentage of any full-time Toffees boss.
Emma Hayes has won four successive league titles with Chelsea (PA)The hunt for the next Chelsea Women's manager remains fierce, with Hayes and assistant manager Paul Green working diligently with club staff to find the perfect replacement.
San Diego Wave and former Manchester United Women manager Casey Stoney was one of the leading candidates to take over from Hayes, but the ex-England defender has since signed a new deal with the Wave keeping her in the NWSL.
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Meanwhile, Laura Harvey, a former Arsenal manager now at Seattle Reign, was a club guest at Stamford Bridge for the Champions League match against Hacken in December - but recently indicated that she too is happy in the USA.
Izzy Christiansen was speaking to LiveScore. To read her full column, click here.
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