Since it was announced that she would be taking the reins of the USA women’s national team following the conclusion of this season, there have been consistent rumours circulating as to who should succeed Emma Hayes at Chelsea.
The legendary WSL manager will be a tough act to follow, but the idea has been floated that perhaps that blow could be softened by slotting another Blues icon into the position - Frank Lampard.
Left: Me listening to Izzy Christiansen's tremendous punditry.
Right: Me listening to Izzy Christiansen suggest Frank Lampard should succeed Emma Hayes as Chelsea Women manager. pic.twitter.com/rGtg3F7Uvs— Kelly Welles @kellywelles.bsky.social (@kelly_welles) February 7, 2024
Former England star Izzy Christiansen had suggested that the Stamford Bridge man with over 429 appearances for Chelsea could be the one to succeed Emma Hayes at Chelsea with LiveScore last week, explaining that “he's somebody who knows the club inside out.”
Lampard has previously managed Chelsea’s men’s team from 2019 to 2021, before moving to Everton from 2022-2023 and back to Chelsea in a caretaker’s role for a stint in 2023 before he was replaced on a permanent basis by Mauricio Pochettino.
It’s for his work at Everton that Christiansen, as a former Toffee herself, might have become most familiar with him, adding that the move would “makes sense” to her.
“From my experiences at Everton, listening to him speak, he's the right type of character,” she said.
“His level of communication and knowledge of the game could be really effective and I think you've got someone well accustomed with what it means to be Chelsea.
"I don't have any knowledge on whether he'd want it or not but it makes sense to me."
Izzy Christiansen thinks Frank Lampard should replace Emma Hayes as Chelsea Women's manager 🔵
🗣️ 'He's somebody who knows the club inside out. He's the right type of character. His level of communication and knowledge of the game could be really effective' pic.twitter.com/ORQejZhsZD— GiveMeSport (@GiveMeSport) February 6, 2024
Who will succeed Emma Hayes at Chelsea ? Does it have to be a woman?
Other names that have come to the fore in the rumour mill have ranged from former Manchester United boss, Casey Stoney (although she just resigned with her current club San Diego Wave in January), and Laura Harvey, who currently overseas Seattle Reign in the NWSL.
After 12 years in the job, it will be tough for anyone to succeed Emma Hayes at Chelsea, especially with regards to all she has done in pioneering the women’s game.
With that said though, Sky Sports pundit Christiansen doesn’t believe the decision around her replacement should have anything to do with gender.
“To be honest, I sit in a party where it doesn't have to be a female, doesn't have to be a male — it just needs to be the right person for the job,” she said.
"There's no gain in Chelsea going, 'Right, let's pigeonhole this, it has to be a female'.
"If they want to continue or attempt to continue the dominance they've had domestically, it has to be the correct appointment."
Former Everton midfielder Izzy Christiansen says Lampard has the ideal credentials to lead Chelsea Women into a new era of profound success:
"I do have a name in mind but I've never heard anyone throw it out there... Frank Lampard." pic.twitter.com/66JmE1OTKV— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) February 5, 2024
