While the England side he once represented with such distinction painstakingly played their way to defeat in the World Cup Third Place Playoff, Frank Lampard was in altogether different and unfamiliar surroundings.
The Chelsea legend made his managerial bow at Meadow Lane, Nottingham, home to League Two promotion hopefuls Notts County. It was an ‘I was there’ moment for the Derby County fans that travelled in great numbers to witness Lampard’s dugout debut. The 4,000-odd who made the short journey were not disappointed as Lampard helped inspire a comfortable victory, albeit in a friendly clash that for the most part was a glorified training exercise for his experienced side.
The Rams were 4-1 victors, the goals coming from a Luke Thomas brace, Tom Huddlestone and Mason Bennett. The result was just a sideshow, though. The away contingent, especially, had come to see what their new manager was like. How would an icon of the Premier League, Chelsea’s record goalscorer and a player with more than 100 England caps, take to coaching players of inferior quality to him?
If Lampard had any nerves about the kind of reception he’d receive from his new supporters – a few critics are concerned about his lack of managerial experience – they were immediately put to be as the reception he received upon leaving the tunnel before kick-off was the loudest noise of the afternoon. More cameras than could have been seen at many a Notts County pre-season friendly were pointed at him as he emerged – though that’s hardly likely to put off a man who has spent his entire career in the spotlight.
A bumper crowd, which will help the home club financially making it win-win all round, contained plenty of observers as interested in Lampard’s movements on the side-line, his tactical approach and even what he’d be wearing, as they were the day’s play. For the record, this was no day for a suited manager – Lampard went for an official club polo shirt and shorts. The 30-degree heat probably swayed him. Given his dapper appearances in the BT Sport studios, Lampard you’d imagine is more of a full suit manager, really.
Derby lined up with what appeared to start as a 4-3-3 formation, which as the game progress and they swarmed on their hosts became a very fluid and flexible attacking line-up. While striker David Nugent stayed pinned to the Magpies’ centre backs, the two either side him – Morris and Tom Lawrence – dropped deep to pick up play, and roamed along the channels. Teenager Morris was particularly impressive and direct.
Craig Bryson starred in midfield, perhaps inspired by his new manager who knows a thing or two about playing his role, while in the second half Huddlestone – a former England teammate of Lampard’s – dictated the tempo back in his home city, which would undoubtedly have impressed Lampard who has stated his desire for managing a side that dominate possession.
🎯 18 passes
👊 9 players involved
👌 1 clinical finish
On the touchline, alongside assistant manager Jody Morris and goalkeeping coach Shay Given, Lampard was a calm and measured figure throughout. Of course, it was the simplest of tests even taking into account his opposite number was Kevin Nolan – a manager with whom he had many a Premier League midfield battle – with Notts’ own performance under-par, even taking account that Derby are a stronger side, being two divisions higher. But it is a test Lampard passed with ease all the same, and he’ll be pleased to get the first one out of the way. The true test for him will be once another very difficult Championship season begins at Reading on 3 August.
He was quick to engage several players in conversations during two scheduled drinks breaks, but largely left them to it during the game, preferring instead to stand and observe safe in the knowledge they were comfortable, but also seemingly content they would carry out his instructions from the dressing room.
The 40-year-old happily thanked the visiting support at the final whistle before sharing a drink with old foe Nolan afterwards, a man who no doubt will have passed on plenty of wisdom considering the outstanding job he is doing in Nottingham, transforming a Notts side from being faced with relegation to non-league, into title contenders within a season-and-a-half.
But Lampard has started shaping his own club, in his image, in earnest.
