‘I turn into a nightmare’: Frank Lampard admits he cannot speak to friends after Chelsea drop points

'I can't help it, it's just par for the course’

Tom Kershaw

Thursday 19 November 2020 09:29 EST

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Frank Lampard admitted that he cannot see his friends after Chelsea drop points because he turns into a "nightmare".

Lampard, who steered Chelsea to a top-four finish in his first season in charge, revealed that his win-at-all-costs mentality means he and his wife, Christine, were unable to "arrange dinners or any kind of get-togethers" prior to the pandemic because he would be left so infuriated by poor results.

Speaking on the Eddie Hearn: No passion, No Point podcast, Lampard said: "If we lose I'm a nightmare. I can't help it, it's just par for the course.

"I had a year in the media, which was an absolute comedown from the pressures of playing and the pressures I get now. And as Christine will joke, I was a much better, easier, more relaxed Frank.

"A manager gets 50 problems a day. It's much more consuming but I love it and couldn't live without it. What you need is a really understanding family.

"With your children that's a bit harder because they just want dad, they just want you to give them absolute attention and those are precious moments.

"I get home from work and I see their smiles. I know it's a bit cliched but it doesn't half help you when you've had loads of problems throughout the day."

Lampard, widely considered one of Chelsea's greatest ever players, is currently in only his third season as a manager, having returned to Stamford Bridge after a season at Derby County.

Relying on youth last year due to the club's transfer embargo, the pressure of the Chelsea's £253m summer spending means that he is now under considerably more pressure, although the Blues have made an encouraging start this season, slowly eradicating their defensive frailties.

"I realise now it's much harder than playing in terms of it being consuming. I had to put my ego at the door a bit and say that I might ruin what I achieved in 13 years to a degree — because if it doesn't go well, I will be judged harshly and quickly," he continued.

"I am so driven personally that my biggest fear is myself. If I try to pull the wool over your eyes as Chelsea manager, it's not going to work."

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