TWTD understands former England skipper Frank Lampard was interviewed for the vacant Town manager’s job earlier today. The 39-year-old is now the second-favourite to take charge at Portman Road.

Rumours that Lampard would be interested in becoming the Blues boss circulated soon after it was announced former manager Mick McCarthy would be moving on this summer, but his name had been mentioned less frequently in connection with the role more recently.

It’s understood today was the second time the Chelsea legend has met with Marcus Evans and it’s believed he impressed the Blues owner.

Lampard, who started his career with West Ham and also represented Manchester City and New York City in a glittering playing career, recently talked about his ambitions to get into management.

“I’m doing my coaching badges at the moment. I've spent a lot of time at Chelsea this year, gaining hours of experience," he said.

"I've already managed to get my A Licence in coaching. So yes, with the right opportunity and right timing for me, I'd really take a very close look at it.”

It’s likely Lampard, who won 106 England caps, scoring 29 goals, would appoint an experienced assistant to work alongside him in his first management role, as his former England team-mate Steven Gerrard has done at Rangers where Gary McAllister is his deputy.

Evans has interviewed a number of candidates over the last fortnight with St Mirren boss Jack Ross also having met with the Blues’ owner twice and TWTD understands the 41-year-old still remains the front runner for the job.

Another of Lampard’s England team-mates, Scott Parker, now Tottenham’s U18s coach, is also among those to have been spoken to, along with former Spurs and Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood and ex-Reading manager Jaap Stam.

Shrewsbury manager Paul Hurst is also understood to be someone Evans is keen to talk to about the vacancy but the Blues have made no formal approach to the Shropshire side and the former Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby boss won’t be in a position to speak to Town until after the League One play-off final a week on Sunday.

Ross remains the favourite to take over at Portman Road at 3-1 odds-on with Bet Victor, but Lampard has now moved ahead of Hurst and is now at 3-1 with the Shrews manager at 4-1.

Photo: Action Images

wilnisfan added 12:02 - May 19 Ross ticks all the boxes. The only thing Hurst has over him is knowledge of English league and years experience. Ross work with your players makes him stand out candidate. Is Lampard has less experience than Ross it would be surprising if we chose Lampard, unless Ross rejected an offer.
0

oioihardy added 12:31 - May 19 Put £3 on him to be manager. I get £42 so kinda hoping it is him. Although that bet was done as a joke.... much rather the Scottish guy
1

blueblood_soldier added 13:05 - May 19 Still have hurst no 1, Ross 2, but if it was one of the younger ex players.. Parker, Campbell, etc.. lampard would be my choice.. still want HURST though.. think he has that little bit more experience than Ross....
0

midastouch added 13:39 - May 19 I'm not totally averse to Ross or Lampard. Hurst might also be good. I really do not know as don't know that much about any of them (obviously know more of Lampard but that's as a player rather than a manager so again that makes him a bit of an unknown quantity). I'd be prepared to give any of them a fair amount of patience in hope of seeing them getting back on track again properly at ITFC. I was also keen on Burley or Gary White but they seem very unlikely now. Whoever it is let's get behind them and give them every opportunity to get the good times back at Portman Road. COYB!!!

2

bostonusablue added 14:00 - May 19 All of you saying no to Lampard doesn't make sense to me. He's a born winner. A leader. An England captain. A very intelligent man who would command respsect from all players. He has great contacts throughout the world. I wonder if the same people would have complained at Prp getting a job years ago. Look how that turned out. I would be 100% behind him and any Town manager.

11

stiffy501 added 14:10 - May 19 Just wondering how many big name england internationals have gone on to be top managers !! Just be a good publicity exercise for Marcus Evans corperation !! No thanks.
-1

peteswindon added 14:13 - May 19 what did ME say at the start he was going to try something different. Like any new manager it may or may not work out.
1

barrystedmunds added 15:07 - May 19 Well at least its not McLaren! Good luck with that one, Rangers!!!
7

tractorboybig added 15:14 - May 19 Seem to be marked down here, Lampard a big name no management experience and the muppets all want him?????
-3

DaGremloid added 15:15 - May 19 You lot make me laugh. Why the heck are you all having wet dreams over a manager of a 'run of the mill' team in Scotland who would probably struggle in the National League? Frank Lampard has a mountain of experience, is intelligent, has good connections, and so what if he's 'famous'. Our club needs putting on the football map again. Look I'm not suggesting he's definitely the right candidate - he may not be - but give the interviewing process a chance. Everyone has to start somewhere and with a good no 2 behind him, why not Frank? I just don't understand all the Ross snoggers who suddenly think he's the greatest manager ever. He's an average manager in a p1ss poor league. Get real.

6

TimmyH added 15:31 - May 19 As a few others have stated and I mentioned this a while ago, Lampard wouldn't be the worst appointment if we had an Ipswich man behind him or as director of football, namely Burley.
9

whywhywhy added 15:35 - May 19 Very rarely post anything here but I have to say that I think it is the worst suggestion yet, on every level he comes out second best 1 experience = second best to almost every candidate 2 playing career = all at the top level , nothing in this division we would be better off with one of the pundits off the championship . I fear that with Lampard we would be back in the Roy Keane situation where he judged everyone by his standards as a player. 3 compared to the most similar candidate (ie rookie) = Scott Parker who would understand this division having recently played in it and since retiring has worked on the Spurs coaching team not sat in a tv studio , this incidentally will have provided him with a far wider range of contacts and knowledge of young players who are available 4 Golden rule = great players do not necessarily make great managers , in fact generally history proves the opposite is true sorry this sounded a bit like the Scott Parker fan club , but I thought the comparison was obvious

-1

itfcgene added 15:35 - May 19 Lampard would be my first choice. Bona fide genius and a total alpha.
7

happybeingblue added 15:50 - May 19 no thanks chelski this smacks of job for old arrys nephew be a media circus we can do without ...been there done that with keane ...you would have his uncle as an advisor telling him to sign crouch and defoe ...would sink us like pompey
-1

Swn98 added 15:59 - May 19 Would seem to me that there's not to many genuine contenders for the job perhaps MM was correct be careful what you wish for only my opinion of course.
-10

ShropshireBluenago09 added 16:45 - May 19 Ross has had little experience in a poor league and done well for 1 season only - still a risk
4

ShropshireBluenago09 added 16:45 - May 19 Ross has had little experience in a poor league and done well for 1 season only - still a risk
1

Lightningboy added 17:05 - May 19 Wow,good to see so many on here being truly starstruck by this news. Just like you were 9 years ago. Try putting what's actually best for this club first over being dazzled by a Chelsea legend.
-3

EssexTractor added 18:36 - May 19 The three " alleged" main characters all have different reasons to approve. Hurst because he has made an insignificant Shrewsbury into a team to be reckoned with in League One . Lampard because of his undoubted playing career and a talent for punditry. And Ross who may only handle St Mirren , but who through his eloquent interviews with a care for developing players, playing an intensity game and wanting to win and a real care for supporters just shades it for me. But as I stated in an earlier post whoever is chosen, and we would like it to be announced sooner than later, we should really side with the decision. There is so little point after decision made, saying " my choice is better than yours". We all have our opinions of course, but one man only will have that final choice. We must support it, no new manager , whoever, will want to pick up our reins with the knowledge that the supporters are heavily in disarray. To go forward the Town must be United, manager, players supporters. Which has not happened in recent times., but now must.

10

cressi added 18:58 - May 19 Hurst for me 500 plus games at 43 years old success at every club second choice Lampard all the connections clever bloke Chelsea loans and thirdly Mr Ross
0

Safetyfirstmrwark added 19:27 - May 19 Must admit I wanted to see more of Mr. White - does anyone know if he even made the interviews? He talked a good plan and had consistently significant success with limited resources
2

ShropshireBluenago09 added 19:29 - May 19 Don't understand this “he will use us as a stepping stone “ crap, all managers that do well move on and better themselves eventually.
5

richardpaul added 19:33 - May 19 This has nothing to do with the Frank Lampard issue Have just watched the cup final and managed to miss the wedding The match left me unmoved as there seemed to be no passion and was it just another premiership meeting between two sides who did not seem too bothered as to the outcome ( memories of the 78 Final when there was passion in spades )If this is the football that we aspire to why do I feel so deflated and let down Maybe the timing to suit TV slots have taken away the true FA Cup glamour and the sense of the whole day not just an add on after the royal wedding I was uninspired at the football offered with many players seemingly just going through the motions A game between Ipswich and Norwich would fill Wembley and return a better spectacle Enough said looking forward to next season and whoever the manager I will always support my team to whom I was first introduced in 1946 as a very young boy

2

Seasider added 20:16 - May 19 Fascinating. Wouldn't be averse to this happening;but Chelsea supporter thinks it may be a bit too much for his hero. However this appointment could tempt one of our group,who lapsed his season ticket during MM reign,back from Spain hopefully. Quite happy with all 3 front runners;but doubtful about most of others. If Frank comes think will need chaperone;as long as its not 'Our Arry'.Mind you life would be interesting;but doubt even he could make Marcus splash the cash.Probably a good thing with Mr Rednapp In Mr Evans we have to trust.

2

wayway added 20:43 - May 19 As I have said all along, a big name to stand in front of the M E logo when being interviewed. Keane mark two
-5

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls