Frank Lampard Returns: Three Other Coaches to Have Managed Chelsea Twice

• Chelsea confirmed the re-appointment of Frank Lampard as caretaker manager until the end of the season
• The club legend replaces Graham Potter who was sacked earlier in the week after seven months in charge
• The search for a new permanent manager continues with Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann top of the list

Chelsea legend and former coach, Frank Lampard has returned to the club as caretaker manager until the end of the current season, as confirmed by the Blues.

The 44-year-old replaces Graham Potter, who was sacked earlier in the week after a tumultuous seven months in charge, leaving the club 11th on the table and out of two domestic cup competitions.

Lampard joins an exclusive list of managers to have managed the club twice. Sports Brief looks at the other three, including legendary Portuguese manager, Jose Mourinho.

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1. Jose Mourinho

One of the greatest managers of all time and Chelsea's most successful manager. The Special One, as he is fondly referred to, has managed Chelsea twice: first between 2004 and 2007 and the second time between 2013 and 2015.

Mourinho won three Premier League titles, three league cups, and one FA Cup over two stints. He could be in line for a sensational third spell after Relevo reported the club had contacted him amid the ongoing search for a new manager.

2. Guus Hiddink

The Dutch tactician has managed the Londoners twice, both on an interim basis. His first spell saw him replace Brazilian coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2009. He won the FA Cup, beating Everton 2-1 in the finals.

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He returned for the second time in 2015 when Mourinho was dismissed for the second time. Hiddink helped the club finish 10th, six places up from 16th when the Portuguese was dismissed.

3. Frank Lampard

Chelsea's all-time top scorer with 211 goals, Lampard managed the club between 2019 and 2021. His first season coincided with a two-window transfer ban and the departure of talisman, Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.

He utilised academy stars to achieve the top four. He also he made the FA Cup final, which he lost to Mikel Arteta's Arsenal in an empty Wembley Stadium in 2020, where current striker, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice, according to BBC Sports.

Lampard returned to the club today (April 6) as a caretaker until the end of the season, according to a club statement, to allow the club to do an extensive search for a new full-time manager.

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4. Roberto Di Matteo

The Italian manager delivered Chelsea's first UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012 when he took over from Andre Villas-Boas, beating Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, as well as claiming the FA Cup.

His interim role was made permanent but he was dismissed eight months later when results did not improve and was replaced by Spanish boss, Rafa Benitez.

Di Matteo managed as an interim and as a permanent manager, technically managing his two spells consecutively.

Fans hostile to Lampard's return

Sports Brief also reported on Chelsea fans reacting to Lampard's return, with many being hostile at the news due to how his previous managerial stint at the club ended.

The Blues legend was first spotted in the director's box with co-owner, Behdad Eghbali, which led to speculation about his return before the team made things official.

Lampard has since taken over the reins at Stamford Bridge as caretaker manager, to allow the club to conduct an intensive search for Graham Potter's true successor.