3/1 To Win
Frank Lampard expressed his excitement and desire to give everything after he was unveiled as the new manager of Derby County.
The former Chelsea and England midfielder signed a three-year contract at Pride Park Stadium on Thursday to take his first step into a managerial role.
Lampard admits that he is flattered to have been given the opportunity to start his career in the dugout at such a “huge” club, and he ready to take his wealth of experience from a distinguished playing career into the next chapter.
Speaking to RamsTV, he said: “I’m delighted to be here, it’s a huge club with tradition and the fanbase.
“I know it well - I grew up with stories of Derby and what they did in the 1970s in particular.
“For me, as a first job, I’m flattered I suppose, because since I’ve finished playing I have been working on my qualifications.
“The career that I have behind me - 20 years of playing - is my experience, and I’m delighted to be at a club of this size and stature for my first job.
“It’s surreal because it is my first job, but it’s exciting.
“I’ve played here and I know the size of the club, but to step into the stadium, it looked magnificent.
“It’s an incredible stadium and it will be an honour to work here.
“I’m ready to give it everything.”
Having played under the likes of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and many others, Lampard has learned from some of the very best managers in the game.
He says that he has taken aspects from the many world-class figures that he worked with to form his own personality and he gave fans an insight of what he will bring to the dressing room.
He said: “I had a great time under Jose Mourinho - he was a huge influence on my personality as much as my playing abilities.
“My confidence grew hugely with him through his man-management style.
“I could list them all! Carlo Ancelotti, Harry Redknapp helped me to develop as a young player, Guus Hiddink, I feel like I’m going to miss someone out!
“I was privileged to play a long career and work under great managers, I’ve tried to take the bits from them that I like and hopefully that will make me my own person.
“I know my personality and I know how I felt as a player when managers were close to me and relationships were formed that made me feel at my best, on and off the pitch.
“I want to be able to relate to players. I’m freshly out of the game so hopefully I can relate to how they feel.
“I want to play good football. As a player, I was very hard working and I like to think that I made the most out of my talents, and that’s what I will strive to do on the training ground.”
