Chelsea boss Frank Lampard 'firmly' rules out managing Tottenham as he echoes Jose Mourinho's 2015 claim

Jack Rosser @JackRosser_22 November 2019

Chelsea boss Frank Lampard insists he would never follow in the footsteps of Jose Mourinho and manage Tottenham.

Mourinho, under whom Lampard played a key role in title-winning Chelsea sides, said in 2007 that he would not manage Spurs due to his relationship with their London rivals.

The Portuguese was this week unveiled as the new Tottenham boss, signing a three-and-a-half year deal to replace Mauricio Pochettino.

Lampard spent 13 years as a player at Chelsea and, despite joining Manchester City for a year after leaving the Blues, his status as a legend at the club endured.

Asked whether he would ever take the top job at Tottenham, Lampard replied: "I can firmly say no, and you can replay that again in 10 years.

"It wouldn't happen but I think things are different. Jose Mourinho works for a lot of football clubs and we have to respect his right to work, on the other hand I was here for 13 years as a player and have an absolutely deep feeling for a club.

"Obviously I went to Manchester City for a year at the end of my career but Chelsea is certainly so close to my heart hence why I am so proud to manage the club and why I wouldn't manage Tottenham.

"That's no disrespect to anyone, it's just because of what Chelsea has given me over my time as a player and now, it's certainly not on my list."

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Lampard added that he had exchanged a few messages with his former boss after Mourinho's appointment in north London was announced, and insisted Spurs, currently 14th, will be in the race for the top four this season.

"Yeah, we had a couple of messages," said Lampard. "I wished him well in his new role, as he has always done for me. A couple of messages.

"Without a doubt they’re in the top-four race. That was the story at the start of the season and it will be the story now and at the end of the season because of the quality.

"When you look at the team pound for pound it’s why they’ve been there for the past three or four years, it’s why they were in the Champions League Final.

"You look at their players throughout the squad, the strength in depth that they have, individual talent they have in forward areas.

"Off the top of your head the individual talent with Harry Kane in the team and players like that are going to be a threat. I knew that before and I know that now."

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