'Frank Lampard wasn't an honest manager - I expected more from him as a man'

Chelsea interim boss Frank Lampard hasn't set the world alight in management on the pitch - and his people-skills left a lot to be desired for one ex-Derby County player

Posted Saturday, May 06, 2023 by Dailystar.co.uk

Andre Wisdom had a lot to say about Frank Lampard

One of Frank Lampard's former players has spoken out about the "weird" experience he had working under him.

Former Liverpool full-back Andre Wisdom was coached by the current interim Chelsea boss at Derby County in the 2018/19 season. It was his first campaign in management, with the Championship side reaching the play-offs but losing in the final.

Wisdom claims he and Lampard didn't get on well and that he "expected more from him as a man". Speaking on The Beautiful Game Podcast, he said: "My experience, it was weird. It was very, very weird.

"It didn't feel like I was at football, and I think what kind of threw me was the fact that it was Frank Lampard. I don't want you misinterpret it like I was in awe... far from it.

"Far from. I think I expected something that I wasn't getting. I expected more from him as a man."

Wisdom also suggested Lampard exhibited favouritism, with then-Chelsea loanees Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori a key part of the side.

Lampard has been accused of being dishonest while in charge at Derby County

"I don't think he was honest to the team collectively," he continued. "We had a good team as well, so it's easy when everything's going well.

"Like we got to the final and lost against Villa. But I think it was very cliquey, it felt like people spoke behind people's backs. That season just wasn't very good.

"I remember the pre-season, some of the lads on one of the last nights they came back late or something and then the next day we were all running for it. I understand the message, but it just felt very negative."

Wisdom clashed verbally with Lampard in the changing room

And the pair ultimately came to blows after a 4-0 defeat to Villa in March 2019. Wisdom added: "I've had one manager scream at me and it was Lampard.

"I said some comments after the game and then he just went in. But it was nothing to do really with football, it was more about me as a person which was very strange to me.

"He said some things that were just very strange. For instance, when someone says 'I'm not scared of you'. He said I walked slow, he said I bully people.

Neither Lampard nor assistant Jody Morris made a big impression on Wisdom

"Anybody you could ask, I know it might sound a bit egotistical, but they'll say no Andre is cool. I've never once even raised my voice at anyone. Don't play with me. Do not. Don't. But bully is different."

Wisdom also didn't click with Lampard's assistant Jody Morris, who he said he'd "probably get into a fight with" if they met on a night out.

"I didn't rate him," he declared. "On a night out, I'd probably get into a fight with them. Just not for me."