Jeff Stelling moots Frank Lampard apppointment in new West Ham United prediction
West Ham United fans would have a mixed response to Frank Lampard replacing Julen Lopetegui if he was sacked, Jeff Stelling has said.
Speaking on talkSPORT with Ally McCoist (5 November, 7:57am), Stelling threw Lampard’s name into the hat as a possible successor to Lopetegui if the Spaniard is given the boot in East London.
Lopetegui remains in post – albeit under increasing pressure [GiveMeSport, 3 November] – having only been hired in May, but Stelling argued the former Irons midfielder would be an ideal replacement.
He said: “I’m going to mention someone who might divide opinions, but is it time – if Lopetegui goes – for West Ham to bring Frank Lampard home? It’s just a thought.”
McCoist replied: “Oh, there’s one for you, you’ve thrown that in.”
“Well he is available”, said Stelling. “He’s being mentioned in connection with the Roma job, but West Ham would be ideal for him, wouldn’t it?
“I honestly don’t know how West Ham fans would react to that – I’m sure I’m going to find out in the next few minutes.”
Frank Lampard appointment wouldn’t go down well at West Ham
Given Lampard is a graduate of the Academy of Football itself and has had three stints managing two different Premier League clubs, Stelling’s suggestions are not quite as left-field as first thought.
However, plenty of water has passed under the bridge since Lampard left for Chelsea in 2001, and his career in the dugout so far won’t inspire much confidence for the beleaguered Hammers fanbase either.
Sacked by Chelsea in January 2021, and then sacked by Everton 24 months later, it’s unlikely that many supporters at the London Stadium would be confident in the 46-year-old making it third-time lucky.
While it’s difficult to come by out-of-work managers who are firmly on an upward trajectory, the Irons hierarchy’s hiring of Lopetegui to replace David Moyes is not having the desired effect thus far.
However, with trust in the board seemingly at an all-time low, who knows what the reaction and subsequent backlash would be if Lampard were to make his return to the club as their new manager.
In other West Ham news, Henry Winter wondered what David Moyes would be thinking after expressing “concerns” with Lopetegui.
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