BBC 5 Live’s Darren Fletcher has revealed that Frank Lampard was already scheduled to be co-commentating on Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Real Madrid next week before his appointment as Chelsea boss.

The Blues legend was appointed the club’s new interim manager on Thursday, tasked with guiding the club safely through to the end of the season. 

Fletcher said: “Frank Lampard was supposed to be with us in Madrid to do commentary for the Real Madrid vs Chelsea match with me.

“He sent me a message saying ‘I’m supposed to be there working with you, and now I’m going to be on the line!’

“It’s total madness that he was going to be there anyway – now he’s going to be there in a very important capacity, let alone watching it and analysing it!

“You can imagine what his head’s like at the minute, when you were supposed to be working for the television, but now not only are you going to be there, but you’re going to be picking the team, working out the tactics, trying to motivate everybody – and in the process try and beat the European champions.”