Chelsea make switch as Lamps returns as caretaker boss

Chelsea have appointed former boss Frank Lampard as caretaker manager until the end of the season.

Lampard, 44, made more than 600 appearances for the Blues during a glittering playing career before returning to take his place in the dugout between July 2019 and January 2021.

He watched from the stands as Bruno Saltor took charge for Tuesday night's goalless home draw with Liverpool.

Announcing the appointment, co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali said: "We are delighted to welcome Frank back to Stamford Bridge. 

"Frank is a Premier League Hall of Famer and a legend at this club. 

"As we continue our thorough and exhaustive process for a permanent head coach, we want to provide the club and our fans with a clear and stable plan for the remainder of the season. 

"We want to give ourselves every chance of success and Frank has all the characteristics and qualities we need to drive us to the finish line. 

"We have an important game against Wolves on Saturday and then we will turn our attention to our Champions League quarter-final in Madrid next week. 

"We are all going to give Frank our full backing as we aim to get the best possible outcome from all our remaining games."

Lampard added: "It's a pretty easy decision for me. This is my club. I have a lot of emotions and feelings.

"I've come with a belief I can come and help the cause until the end of the season. I will give my utmost to give the fans what they want.

"There's a lot of talent in the squad. I'm excited to work with that talent and to help them."

Ex-England international Lamps, who was axed by Everton in January, is tasked with steadying the ship after Graham Potter's sacking last Sunday. 

Chelsea are floundering in 11th in the Premier League but still have a chance of glory in the Champions League, with Real Madrid up next in the quarter-finals. 

Boehly and Co will now continue their search for Potter's permanent replacement. Julian Nagelsmann, Mauricio Pochettino and Luis Enrique have all been linked with the vacancy.