By MARK IRWIN
FRANK LAMPARD has admitted for the first time that he wants to become Chelsea boss.
But first the Blues idol, 34, wants a new three-year playing contract. Lampard said: “I am thinking about my coaching badges now but there is only one club I want to manage.
“I know it might sound a bit big-headed or selfish but I wouldn’t want to go through ‘showing myself’ with a lower club.
“Although I would never expect to walk into a position such as the Chelsea manager, this is the only club I’d want to manage.”
Lampard is in the final season of his Chelsea contract and hopes to sign a new one to take him to the end of his playing career.
But Lampard fears his move into management could destroy his Stamford Bridge legacy if he fails to make the grade.
He said: “I’d love to have a crack at it but I’d want to do it well.
“I wouldn’t want the supporters to forget everything I’ve tried to do as a player because I can’t manage the team.”
Lampard has played for eight different managers in 11 years since signing from West Ham in an £11million deal in 2001.
And he tells the Chelsea fanzine cfcuk he has already learned the art of man-management by studying all their methods.
He said: “Without a doubt I’ve picked up some good things as well as some things that I’d do differently. The main thing I’ve learned is how to treat people properly.
“It’s important to respect the players and by doing so, hopefully, you’ll earn their respect back.
“We saw that with Jose Mourinho. I saw him being strong with players and having arguments but the vast majority who played or worked for him had a massive amount of respect for him.”
