Lampard to net Champions League incentive as Chelsea move is sealed
Frank Lampard to net £1m Champions League qualification bonus in £4m-a-year deal with Chelsea return to be announced in the next 24 hours
- Frank Lampard is expected to become the new Chelsea manager imminently
- Former Blues midfielder has impressed during his first term in management
- Derby owner Mel Morris admitted that Lampard will soon take over at Chelsea
Chelsea rubber-stamped the deal on Monday that will bring Frank Lampard back to Stamford Bridge — with the new manager set for a lucrative bonus if the club stay in the Champions League.
As reported by Sportsmail last week, Lampard is likely to sign a three-year contract, worth around £4million a year, with Chelsea hopeful of announcing his arrival from Derby by Wednesday morning at the latest.
It is understood there are a number of incentives linked to the deal, including a bonus for sealing Champions League qualification, which would push it closer to £5m.
Frank Lampard is expected to take over at Chelsea in the next 48 hours after agreeing contract
It looks certain Lampard, Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer, will be in place when most first-team players start pre-season training on Friday.
However, there is uncertainty over whether Shay Given will join Lampard’s coaching team as the former Republic of Ireland international may stay on as Derby’s goalkeeping coach.
But Lampard is set to bring Jody Morris, the former Chelsea midfielder and coach, and Chris Jones with him.
Confirmation of Lampard’s arrival moved closer when Derby excused their manager from the start of pre-season training yesterday for more talks with Chelsea.
Derby owner Mel Morris says it’s only a ‘matter of time’ until Lampard is appointed by Chelsea
Lampard was prepared to take the session, as well as Tuesday’s, but the Championship club decided it was in everyone’s interest for him not to attend. Derby felt it would be disruptive to the players if he started pre-season but then left to join Chelsea, and the former England midfielder accepted their stance.
A Derby statement read: ‘The first few days of pre-season training will be focused on fitness and will continue as planned under the guidance of the fitness, medical, conditioning and sports science teams. On the assumption that Frank will reach an agreement with Chelsea to become their new manager, the club shall step up its efforts to find a replacement manager.’
Derby owner Mel Morris, speaking on talkSPORT, admitted it was a ‘matter of time’ before Lampard joined Chelsea.
Lampard’s appointment at Stamford Bridge would prove very popular among the Chelsea fans
The club want a high-profile figure to replace him and have targeted former Holland midfielder Phillip Cocu, whose last role was with Turkey’s Fenerbahce.
Cocu is understood to have reservations about taking the position. But Morris wants to hold further discussions with the Dutchman in the hope of persuading him to reconsider.
Darren Moore and Aitor Karanka are also in the frame.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have completed the permanent signing of Mateo Kovacic — who spent last season on loan at Stamford Bridge — from Real Madrid.
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