Frank Lampard hopes to emulate Jose Mourinho’s successful start as Chelsea manager by securing a positive result against Manchester United.
Lampard takes charge of the Blues in a competitive match for the first time at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Mourinho lifted the Premier League trophy three times across two spells at Stamford Bridge after beginning his initial tenure with a 1-0 home success against United 15 years ago following a goal from Eidur Gudjohnsen.
Former midfielder Lampard, the west London club’s record scorer with 211 goals, played in that fixture in August 2004 and is keen for his squad to gain similar early-season momentum.
“I remember the game, we didn’t play particularly well, it wasn’t a great game. We won 1-0 and it was a nice start for us because we’d had a good pre-season and all of our standards were lifted by Jose Mourinho,” said Lampard.
“It would be great to have that momentum after a first game – it’s the same because it’s both the same teams we are talking about but it’s not the end of the story.
“We’re going to a tough place in Old Trafford. The thing with football, and especially the top of the Premier League, is you can lose at those places. But we have to have a bigger picture than that.
Adding the finishing touches! 👌 pic.twitter.com/M6a74z1XzX— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) August 10, 2019
“But, yes, of course, if we can get the early momentum by going there and getting a result, it certainly helped in the Jose Mourinho days and it will help us.”
Lampard received supportive messages from Mourinho after leaving Derby to take the Chelsea job last month but has not spoken with his former boss.
The 56-year-old Portuguese has been out of management since being sacked by United in December.
Lampard played under numerous other successful coaches, including Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez, but would not reveal which one was the most influential while stressing his desire to be his own man.
- Claudio Ranieri
- Jose Mourinho (twice)
- Avram Grant
- Luiz Felipe Scolari
- Ray Wilkins (caretaker)
- Guus Hiddink
- Carlo Ancelotti
- Andre Villas-Boas
- Roberto Di Matteo
- Rafael Benitez
“I have too many experiences with managers that to name one would feel almost be disrespectful to the others,” he said.
“What I would say is I can take tips or ideas from all of my managers. I try and be myself through that, I don’t try and be a Jose Mourinho or a Carlo Ancelotti, Guus Hiddink.
“I try and be myself but with influences from them because some managers are more people managers, some managers are more tactical managers. I think if you strive to try and find that, it’s not natural.
“I was fortunate enough to play under a lot and get tips but I’m not going to give you one name.”
Lampard will come up against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this weekend. The Norwegian initially succeeded Mourinho on a caretaker basis before being appointed permanently on a three-year contract in late March.
After winning 14 of his opening 17 fixtures in all competitions, former United striker Solskjaer lost eight of the next 12 as his side limped over the line to finish sixth.
Lampard believes criticism of his fellow manager has been slightly unfair but acknowledges working for a high-profile club brings constant scrutiny.
“When you manage a club like Manchester United or Chelsea it comes with the territory,” said Lampard.
“It can be excessive, not just for Ole, but for everyone in football. You have to have a thick skin.
“It is possibly harsh as it is something that he came in to and he had a great lift.
“I think it’s his real chance to make a stamp on that team with a window and a pre-season behind him.
“And I’m trying to make a stamp here, so it makes for a competitive match.
“It is up to him and it is up to me.”
