Former Derby County manager Frank Lampard has emerged as a potential candidate to take over the Canada National Team, according to The Telegraph.
The 45-year-old has been out of work since departing Chelsea at the end of last season, where he took over on an interim basis following the departure of Graham Potter. It was the former England midfielder’s second stint in charge of the club where he spent a large chunk of his playing career, having taken over at Stamford Bridge in 2019 after a successful spell at Derby.
The Rams represented Lampard’s first step into management following the end of his glittering playing career. He was largely praised for his time at Pride Park, where he secured a sixth-placed finish in the Championship. However, he failed to earn a spot in the Premier League at the final hurdle, losing to Aston Villa in the play-off final.
He was announced as manager of the Blues shortly after the season finished, but was sacked 18 months later as the two-time European champions slipped to ninth in the Premier League.
A year out of the game saw him appointed at Everton. His time at the Toffees was disappointing and he was dismissed a year into the position, leaving the club languishing into the relegation zone. A second return to Chelsea followed, this time on an interim basis, although he failed to steady the ship, recording just one win in 11 games.
According to The Telegraph, Lampard is keen to return to management and could find an in-road in the most unlikely place. It is said that he is on the shortlist to take over the Canada National Team ahead of the World Cup in 2026, where they are set to host the competition alongside the USA.
The North American’s have been without a permanent coach since John Herdman left to join Toronto FC last summer. As such, they are now keen to talk to the ex-Rams manager about the possibility of leading the team into their next major tournament. Canada qualified for the 2022 edition, the second time they have made the finals in their history. However, they have lost all six games in which they have played thus far and will be hoping to improve on that on home soil in two years time.
Writer’s View
It’s fair to say that Lampard’s reputation has been tarnished by his time at Everton and then latterly in his brief second spell with Chelsea. He has no experience of coaching at international level but will be keen to make a success of his next position and prove that he is cut out for management.
His spell at Derby is arguably his most successful stint in his post-playing career. Some will criticise him for his failure to achieve promotion, especially as he took over a team that had made the Championship play-offs the season prior. However, we have seen teams falter following the departure of a manager and the same could’ve happened when Gary Rowett opted to join Stoke City at the end of the 2017/18 campaign.
Lampard’s spell remains the last time the Rams had a genuine shot of reaching the Premier League and have since dropped into League One, although they are in pole position to secure promotion this season.
