Frank Lampard backed for England job after fellow pundits were ‘glued’

Gary Lineker has tipped Frank Lampard as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate for the England managerial role.

Amidst rumours Southgate could step down after Euro 2024, Lineker suggested Lampard’s tactical acumen and respect from players make him a strong candidate. The Chelsea legend made an impression on the Match of the Day host during the BBC’s coverage of Saturday’s quarter-final victory over Switzerland.

Alongside fellow former Premier League stars Rio Ferdinand and Micah Richards, Lampard provided insightful analysis, leading to Lineker’s endorsement on The Rest is Football podcast. Despite his mixed record in the Premier League, where he has won just 41% of his games in charge, Lineker believes the former Chelsea, Everton and Derby County boss shouldn’t be overlooked.

Via the Express, he stated: “I wouldn’t disregard Frank Lampard. I think he tactically gets it. I think the players will respect him immediately. I’m getting ahead of things here. If you’re going to go English, you go, like, who else? Eddie Howe? Eddie Howe, possibly?”

Graham Potter is currently leading the race to become the next England manager if Southgate decides to leave his post. The ex-Brighton and Chelsea head coach, who’s now without a club, has been lauded for his tactical nous.

Doubts have been cast over Lampard’s potential as a candidate due to less than ideal exits from his roles at Chelsea and Everton. Nonetheless, Lineker argued: “I think he’s been a bit unlucky in his managerial career in some ways. I think he gets it tactically.”

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England’s approach could use a boost, with Lineker a particularly vocal critic of Southgate’s strategy. With a semi-final against the Netherlands on the horizon, their lacklustre scoring record at the tournament is a concern – they haven’t managed to net more than a single goal in any 90 minutes so far.

Commenting on Lampard’s punditry during England’s quarter-final victory, Richards was also impressed, adding: “Frank’s analysis was about three minutes. And, normally, if someone goes that deep, after maybe two minutes, you’ve lost interest.

“But I was glued to it for three minutes. And you can tell he’s just got something. He’s articulate. The way he explains points. You can tell there’s a manager there inside of him.”

Lineker extended his praise for the segment, commending: “That three minutes Frank did was amazing.” Richards highlighted glimmers of positivity in each of Lampard’s stints, lauding his approach at Derby, noting he held Chelsea together amid a transfer ban, and pulled Everton out from the drop zone.

He suggested Lampard’s second stint at Stamford Bridge, which culminated in only one win in 11 matches, may have skewed public perception of him. Despite hitting the ground running with both them and the Toffees, Lampard also has showcased a trend of parting company under fraught circumstances.

He left Chelsea sitting ninth in the Premier League table during his first departure, and a heroic escape from relegation at Everton was followed by a dismal spell, leaving them languishing in 19th place. Southgate hasn’t spelled out his post-Euro 2024 plans, with his contract set to expire at the year’s close.

It will indeed be a mammoth task for whoever steps into the shoes of the man helming the team for eight years. While a trophy had eluded him Southgate is without a doubt the most successful modern-era England coach.