Frank Lampard surprised with how much Chelsea job is taking up his and wife Christine's life

Posted Saturday, August 10, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk

THE job has already consumed him.

When Frank Lampard is in the car or at home with his missus Christine, every moment is spent thinking about Chelsea.

Frank Lampard surprised with how much Chelsea job is taking up his and wife Christine's life
Frank Lampard has not had much down time with wife Christine and his family, pictured in London Credit: 2019 New Media Images - NW

Lamps, who takes the love of his life to Manchester United on Sunday for his first Premier League game, would not have it any other way.

The Chelsea legend said: “The hours maybe surprised me and surprised the wife.

“She has to be mum when I am not around — and she is great at that. But it comes with the territory.

“I didn’t expect an easy job. In every job I do I will give everything but it means a lot of time-consuming moments.

“If you want to be successful, you have to give everything.”

Lamps was a proud man yesterday.

It was his first official message ahead of the new season and he was sat in a chair that has been occupied by some managerial greats — and not-so-greats — down the years.

Jose Mourinho (twice), Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Guus Hiddink, Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri have all sat there.

Lampard, a month or so into his new job, is already sitting comfortably.

He is motivated by the pundits on radio giving Chelsea — banned from signing players for a year — an easy kicking.

Frank Lampard surprised with how much Chelsea job is taking up his and wife Christine's life
Lampard is preparing to take charge of his first Premier League game as Chelsea manager Credit: Getty - Contributor

They seem to have forgotten they finished third last season and won the Europa League.

The Blues now have Lampard as manager, one of the most durable, resilient and determined footballers in the history of the sport.

Lamps added: “I love it. I love listening to the radio and hearing predictions when we’re not in the top four.

“That means there is a challenge and there isn’t anything better in football than proving people wrong.

“We should accept that challenge. We believe we can really have a go.”

Lampard also knows it is a tough gig to manage a club the size of Chelsea.

The pressures are immense, with the matchday environment adding another layer to this precarious position.

He said: “When you manage a club like Manchester United or Chelsea it comes with the territory.

“Criticism can be excessive. You have to have a thick skin. I didn’t like being sub and I wouldn’t like to manage Frank Lampard in that scenario.”

The big stage is where Lampard belongs.

He won up at Old Trafford with Derby in the Carabao Cup last season, beating Mourinho during the Portuguese’s last desperate months in charge of Manchester United.

Lampard, 41, is facing his own difficulties having had to navigate his way through a transfer window without being able to make a signing.

He likes the look of his young players, admiring their approach when they pull on the Chelsea shirt in training.

Lamps added: “I love working with them, I love training with them. I love them as lads as they are very driven. They are like spaniels on the training pitch and they bring enthusiasm and quality.”

Chelsea face a tough opener at United but Lamps insists they can make an impact at the top of the table.

He added: “What matters is how we approach it. If I was a Chelsea manager who said I’ll settle for sixth place or fourth, or even second place, that’s not the mindset.

“We will aim to win and of course this club wants to be in Champions League football every year.

“We’ll have to work every day to improve to try and stay up there with the big boys.”