Pep Guardiola Reaffirms Frank Lampard Will Be An ‘Extraordinary’ Manager

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Pep Guardiola Reaffirms Frank Lampard Will Be An ‘Extraordinary’ Manager

Pep Guardiola insists Chelsea manager Frank Lampard will become “an extraordinary manager” ahead of their Premier League encounter on Thursday.

Manchester City traveled to Stamford Bridge needing a win to prevent rivals Liverpool from winning a first league title in 30 years.

Lampard, on the other hand, is battling to secure a Champions League spot in his first season in charge, with Manchester United, Wolves and Tottenham in hot pursuit. Yet they fell short, losing 2-1 to the blues at Stamford Bridge.

The recently turned 40-year-old has enjoyed a largely successful first campaign in charge, integrating a number of youth prospects and already sealing the signings of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech.

And Guardiola believes Lampard‘s managerial qualities will parallel his “extraordinary” ability as a footballer.

“Frank Lampard was an extraordinary football player and he will be an extraordinary manager,” the Spaniard said in his pre-match press conference.

“He did a really good season and I am delighted to watch his team. They are the elite of European football. They have incredible players in all departments.”

Guardiola has been particularly impressed by Lampard’s development of Chelsea’s academy players. Billy Gilmour, prior to the enforced Premier League suspension, was one of the season’s success stories, breaking into the team aged just 18-years-old.

“When you start as a manager, you have a passion and no fears,” he added. “You take decisions without compromise, which he has done by giving opportunities to the young, talented players Chelsea have because his Academy in the last five or 10 years has done really well.

“He knows at the big clubs that you have to get results but in the Premier League they are in a good position to qualify for the Champions League next season, which is one of the main targets for the six or seven top teams in England. That would make it a very good season.”