Chelsea Reportedly Want Frank Lampard to Become Blues Coach, Future Manager

Chelsea reportedly want Frank Lampard to join the club's first-team coaching staff ahead of a potential future role as manager. 

According to The Sun's Jordan Davies, Chelsea want their all-time record goalscorer to be taken under the wing by Antonio Conte's replacement—the Italian is expected to leave in the summer—groomed for a management role at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard is eager to manage and has been working towards his UEFA A coaching licence over the past 18 months, while he has worked as a coach of the Blues' under-18 side under former Chelsea team-mate Jody Morris for the past year.

His work is said to have impressed owner Roman Abramovich, who wants to hand him a greater role at the club.

The former midfielder's goalscoring exploits over the course of 13 seasons and 648 appearances have cemented him among the pantheon of Chelsea greats, per ESPN FC's Mark Worrall:

The 39-year-old won three Premier League titles at Stamford Bridge, along with four FA Cups, two League Cups, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

He recently expressed his desire to manage while speaking on TalkSport: "It's my dream to manage at the top—I wouldn't want to go into anything without setting those sights as high as I possibly can."

Lampard added he is "certainly not scared to get my hands dirty slightly lower down" the leagues either, and continued: "I'm on the verge of completing my UEFA A License, and I'm keen to start my Pro License this summer. I'm enjoying it, I've clocked up a lot of hours at Chelsea with the youth team and academy. I've put together a lot of experience."

The former England international, who racked up 29 goals in 106 caps for the Three Lions, was a top-class player and has proved to be a shrewd and insightful pundit.

He discussed the difficulties players have faced in becoming coaches at the conclusion of their playing days on BT Sport:

The Times' Matthew Syed and the Mirror's John Cross are among those who enjoy his eloquent analysis:

While there's no guarantee those attributes will translate into a successful management career, his experience and knowledge of the game is outstanding, so he has the tools to become an excellent coach.

His willingness to start further down the football pyramid is admirable, but being groomed for management at a club he knows intimately could be a strong move.