Frank Lampard: 5 Managers Who Have Returned to Their Former Clubs As Legendary Midfielder Nears Chelsea Return

• A number of European clubs have historically re-hired former managers to take charge once again
• Frank Lampard is close to becoming the latest manager closing in on a return to his former side
• Chelsea are said to be keen on re-hiring Lampard for the remainder of the season after Potter's exit

Frank Lampard is set to join a host of managers who have previously returned to their former clubs, with the legendary midfielder in line to take charge at Chelsea once again.

The Blues are currently without a permanent manager, with the Stamford Bridge role falling vacant after the sacking of Graham Potter last Sunday.

Potter was shown the door after a disastrous seven-month stint with the west London club.

According to The Mirror, Chelsea have already drawn up a shortlist of experienced managers they are targeting to succeed Potter

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But with only a few matches left to end the season, reports suggest Blues chiefs are considering a short-term replacement to take charge until the end of the season as they shop for a long-term replacement.

Frank Lampard linked with Chelsea return

BBC reports that Frank Lampard is the frontrunner for the temporary role, with the former midfielder linked with a return.

Lampard, who was sacked at Everton this season remains out of work, and reports claim he is open to making a sensational return to Stamford Bridge.

The former England international managed the Blues from July 2019 until January 2021, when he was replaced by Thomas Tuchel.

Should he make the return, he will join a long list of managers who rejoined their former clubs long after quitting.

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Sports Brief takes a look at five managers who did this.

1. Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho famously returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013, six years after he had been sacked from the club.

The Portuguese went on to lead the west Londoners to Premier League glory.

2. Louis van Gaal

The legendary Dutch manager has managed the Netherlands national football team on three occasions.

At the club level, he has twice been hired by Barcelona, with his first stint with the Catalans happening between 1997 and 2002.

His second one lasted just a year between 2002 and 2003.

3. Massimiliano Allegri

Max Allegri enjoyed an illustrious stint with Juventus, helping them win an astonishing five Serie A trophies before he left in 2019.

However, his successor, Andrea Pirlo, was big a disappointment, leading to Allegri's return after just two years.

4. Zinedine Zidane

Real Madrid are the kings of reappointments.

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And for this reason, Zinedine Zidane has been one of the beneficiaries of Real's tradition of going back to their former managers.

Zidane famously won Real three Champions League titles in his first spell as manager between 2016 and 2018.

While he went on to quit, the Frenchman was rehired just 10 months later in 2019 and managed to help the side lift the La Liga title.

5. Roy Hodgson

And finally on this list is the legendary Roy Hodgson. coincidentally, he is also the latest manager to return to his former club, Crystal Palace.

The Englishman's first stint with the Eagles was between 2017 and 2021.After just two years away, Palace rehired Hodgson to replace Patrick Vieira, who was sacked this season.

Hodgson's immediate assignment is to help the Selhurst Park-outfit avoid relegation.

Tuchel wanted Chelsea return

Sports Brief also reported on a revelation that Tuchel might have returned to Chelsea if his successor had been sacked before he took over at Bayern Munich.

Ahead of a tie against Freiburg, the German was asked by the media about the Blues' managerial role and he insinuated he would have retaken the position.