Frank Lampard has opened up about his difficult second spell as Chelsea’s interim manager at the end of the 2022/23 season, shedding light on the challenges he faced.

“I saw things that I know cannot be right at elite football, and that’s the truth,” Lampard admitted, reflecting on his brief tenure at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s all-time leading goal scorer was brought back to steady the ship following Graham Potter’s dismissal, but the task proved daunting. He managed 11 games, suffering eight defeats and securing just one victory, raising doubts about his future as a head coach.

Lampard acknowledged the difficulties of stepping into a club undergoing significant transition. “I didn’t love working in that short period because it’s hard to lay down an idea when you’re going to be leaving, but Chelsea will always be a massive club in my life.”

The Blues were struggling in their first season under new ownership, and Lampard found himself managing a squad in turmoil. “When I understand the standards of Chelsea – in that period of time, a lot of players were in transition of maybe leaving, and some problems and motivation were a problem – in an interim period, you can’t really affect that.”

He also spoke about the internal issues within the squad that made his job even harder. “When you see the results of it, I’m experienced enough to know what’s right and what’s wrong and basic things in a training ground on a pitch.”

Despite the disappointing results, Lampard insists that the experience reaffirmed his core beliefs about what makes a successful team. “I didn’t learn anything tactical, but it did reinforce my beliefs of all my experiences of when you know what a group is really fighting in the same direction – how strong that can be. And when it’s not, it can be really challenging.”

Chelsea have since moved on under new leadership, but Lampard’s words serve as a stark reminder of the turbulence that marked the early days of Todd Boehly’s ownership. With Enzo Maresca now at the helm, the club will be hoping for a more stable and successful future.