Chelsea manager Frank Lampard firmly ruled out the possibility he could manage London rivals Tottenham Hotspur after former Chelsea head coach Jose Mourinho was appointed the new boss of Spurs despite making a vow in 2015 that he would never take over at Tottenham due to his affection with Chelsea.
Mourinho who was shockingly appointed as Mauricio Pochettino’s successor after he was sacked on Wednesday won three Premier League titles with Chelsea across two spells.
But his second spell ended acrimoniously after he was sacked with the club hovering just above the relegation places. He then went on to manage Manchester United and now Spurs despite the rivalry between the two clubs.
However, Lampard, who spent the bulk of his playing career at Stamford Bridge before taking over as head coach this summer, is adamant his deep ties to the club would prevent a repeat.
“It wouldn’t happen, but I think things are different. Jose Mourinho has worked at a lot of football clubs and we have to respect his right to work.
“On the other hand I was here for 13 years as a player, have an absolutely deep feeling for the club, and I obviously went to Man City for a year at the end of my career but Chelsea is certainly something very close to my heart and hence why I’m so proud to manage this club and hence why unfortunately I wouldn’t manage Tottenham.
Lampard was also full of praise for Pochettino who managed Tottenham for five and a half years before his sacking
I have huge respect for him,’ Lampard said.
‘I met him a few times. I went to Tottenham’s training ground when I was doing my badges and he showed me hospitality. He is a classy man.’
Chelsea goes into Saturday’s clash with Manchester City a point ahead of the champions, with Lampard’s side on a six-match winning run in the Premier League.
