Frank Lampard says ‘it will never feel like saying goodbye’ to Chelsea as he prepares for the final game of his second term.
Lampard’s short-term contract expires at the end of the season and a deal is in place for the former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino takes over in summer.
“I will come back to Chelsea many times,” said the former Blues midfielder.
“I’m pretty calm about it and not too nostalgic.”
Lampard took over from Graham Potter in April but took just four points from his eight Premier League games, a tally that leaves the club 12th in the table heading into the season’s final home game against Newcastle United.
Despite the poor results, Lampard remains a crowd favorite at Stamford Bridge following a glittering playing career, where he won 13 trophies in as many years and remains the club’s all-time top scorer.
“It will never feel like I’m saying goodbye to the fans,” said Lampard, who had a permanent tenure in charge of Chelsea between July 2019 and January 2021.
“It will be the end of the season and the end of my return, but normally when you leave a club you don’t have a hooray as a manager. You’re in one day, the next day and that’s fine.
“When you embark on a managerial career, it doesn’t mean that you will forever be at a club where you spent 13 years as a player.
“I certainly appreciate the support from the fans on Sunday. More than anything, I’d like to give them a performance to take away for the summer and feel a little more positive.”
