Jamie Carragher has warned his former England team-mate, Frank Lampard, that he could regret making a return to Chelsea so early in his managerial career.
Lampard only worked one year as a coach, before he left Derby County for Stamford Bridge, to replace Maurizio Sarri.
The 41-year-old has joined the club at a difficult time, with the five-time Premier League winners currently under a transfer ban.
Writing in The Telegraph, Carragher also called for Lampard to be given time.
“I feel strongly that Frank needs to be given the space, time and respect to develop his coaching career and there is no recent history of Chelsea giving that – even to some of the best coaches of all time who have delivered Premier League titles.
“There is no point giving Frank the job now and setting a deadline to replicate his predecessors’ success. I would like to think he will get more leeway but I am a bit sceptical, knowing Chelsea’s track record and how quickly results change the mood.
“Many argue Lampard’s appointment is itself proof of a change of direction at Stamford Bridge, belated recognition the club must take a longer-term approach.
“That is a radical departure from the last 16 years and a great promise to make amid the optimism of pre-season. Even the talk of giving youth a chance is not so simple.
“What if, as I anticipate, Chelsea remain well behind Manchester City and Liverpool this season? I don’t believe Chelsea will make the top four.
“If not, there should not be talk of him being under pressure but Frank knows the culture at the club better than anyone and what the consequences will be if Chelsea drop out of the top six.
“That is why I believe it might have been wiser for him to wait. To gather more experience at a club such as Derby County.
“He was at the perfect club to learn more about how to manage different personalities, experiment with strategies and settle on a style of leadership that will equip him for the next 10 years,” Carragher said.
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