By Jack Kinnersley For Mailonline
Published: 17:29 BST, 27 May 2019 | Updated: 17:42 BST, 27 May 2019
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On the eve of this £170million match Frank Lampard described his management career as 'ahead of schedule'. A Wembley setting and football's richest occasion to finish a campaign of remodeling and renovation, where the play-offs were a bonus, would certainly count as that.
Defeat does not undermine the impression he has made in just 12 months. He has carried the aura required of all good managers, been unafraid to speak his mind, chosen well in the transfer market, and made bold, effective selections and substitutions.
Whether that is enough to convince Roman Abramovich that Lampard is ready to succeed Maurizio Sarri we shall see. Chelsea's interest is genuine and there will be a vacancy if Sarri leaves for Juventus. It would be a break from past choices to pick a manager with only one season of experience but then again Lampard, with his 13 years and 11 trophies at Stamford Bridge, is a unique case.
On Sunday evening, Frank Lampard described his management career as 'ahead of schedule'
Whatever Chelsea's intentions Lampard will now hold talks with owner Mel Morris to ascertain the direction Derby are heading in. Morris had to get creative to keep the club in line with EFL spending rules - selling Pride Park to another one of his company's for £80m and leasing it back to record a £14.6m profit - and more delicate handling of the books is required this coming summer. Despite Morris's wealth, estimated at £500m, he is restricted from being a benefactor who can keep pumping in money and sales will need
