Chelsea to offer Lampard coaching as he announces MLS exit

Chelsea will offer Frank Lampard an emotional return to Stamford Bridge if he decides to announce his playing retirement after revealing he will leave New York City at the end of the year.

Lampard is considering his next move after stating that his time at New York had “come to an end” on his personal Instagram account and claiming an announcement on his future will be made “very soon.”

The midfielder will now decide whether to play on at another club or make the move into coaching or punditry, with Sky Television ready to make him an offer.

Chelsea would consider either a coaching or ambassadorial role for the 38- year-old depending on his post-playing ambitions as part of an effort to make sure that their successful generation of players such as Lampard, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole and John Terry remain close to the club.

They do not want to risk any of their former stars working for rival clubs in the same way former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira accepted a role with Manchester City.

Having agreed to join New York City, Lampard shocked Chelsea fans by agreeing to play for their parent club Manchester City for six months in the 2014-15 season before moving to America.

The fact Lampard personally announced his departure from New York when his contract expires at the end of 2016 would suggest he will not remain with the City franchise which will be a relief to Chelsea.

As my time at NYCFC comes to an end I would like to thank so many people for the kindness and support that they have shown me over the last two years. My teammates have been a pleasure to play alongside. The amazing fans have given me incredible support and backing. All the people that work behind the scenes at NYCFC have made it so easy for me to work and settle here. I have very much enjoyed my time, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to play for such a great club and in such an incredible city. I leave with many great memories as I embark on the next stage of my career and I’ll be making an announcement very soon. @nycfc

A photo posted by Frank Lampard (@franklampard) on Nov 14, 2016 at 6:06am PST

Despite playing for City, Lampard remains a legendary figure at Chelsea and is the club’s highest-ever goalscorer after netting 211 times in 13 years at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea fans, home and away, still sing Lampard’s name at games and would be delighted to see their hero return in any capacity.

Lampard scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for New York, who were beaten 7-0 on aggregate by Toronto FC in the Major League Soccer play-offs this month.

The former West Ham United player has said he will reveal “the next stage” of his career “very soon” and added: “I have very much enjoyed my time, and I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to play for such a great club and in such an incredible city. I leave with many great memories.”