Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has revealed that he remains in contact with former boss Jose Mourinho, despite the Portuguese having ‘a little go’ at Chelsea after their 4-0 defeat to Manchester United on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The defeat saw the Blues make a terrible start to life under Lampard in his first competitive game, and led Mourinho to issue harsh criticism of the tactics implemented by the former midfielder, who won two Premier League titles under the Portuguese during his first spell in west London.
However, in an interview with talkSPORT, Lampard has brushed aside the stern critique from his former boss, stating that he understands the pressure of “needing to say things” when in the role of a pundit as Mourinho was when he made the comments.
“With Jose we would have texts from time to time,” he said.
“We had some at the start of the season around the Manchester United game where he had a little go!
“It’s all good. I’ve sat in the punditry chair for a year so I understand the need to say things so I’m certainly not going to bang on too much. In terms of him, yeah we have a relationship.”
Lampard has also made a concerted effort in maintaining a strong relationship with managers other than Mourinho who were a major influence during his playing days and have helped him in his fledgling managerial career.
The former England midfielder has credited uncle Harry Redknapp as paving the way for him to return to Chelsea as a manager, while also revealing that Guus Hiddink, twice interim manager at Stamford Bridge, has also sent him messages wishing him well in his new role.
“He [Redknapp] followed us brilliantly last year. He would text me and call me to talk about Derby and is doing the same at Chelsea so I have to shout Harry even though he is family.
“What he did for me in terms of getting me on the ladder managerially is huge and I will always be thankful for that.
“I had really good relationships with my managers. Guus Hiddink has actually sent me some great messages. But you move on a bit and it doesn’t become like you were more acquaintances but I have huge respect for all of them.”
– Kishan Vaghela,The Independent
