Frank Lampard signs 3-year contract with Derby County

Former Chelsea and England midfielder Frank Lampard is to become head coach of English second-tier club Derby County, the football club announced on Thursday.

Lampard, 39, took his first job as a manager after having announced his retirement as a player in February 2017, reports Efe.

"This is my first job as a manager but I have been working towards this for a long time. I have worked closely with some of the best coaches in the game and I am confident in my own abilities and those of the team around me," Chelsea's top goal scorer said.

"I know it won't be easy, managing a football team never is but I am here to work hard. I am really looking forward to getting started and to the challenge ahead," he added.

As a player for more than 20 years, Lampard played at West Ham, Chelsea, Manchester City and New York City.

During his 13 years with Chelsea, he participated in 648 games scoring 211 goals, and was awarded three times Chelsea's player of the year honour.

He played in three World Cup finals with England's national team and participated in 106 matches, during which he scored 29 goals.

Lampard came in as a replacement for Derby's former coach Gary Rowett, who is currently the manager of Stoke City.

--IANS

tri/bg