Man City boss Pep Guardiola and Crystal Palace chief in agreement over Chelsea’s Frank Lampard decision

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson insists Frank Lampard is the “ideal man” to take charge of Chelsea until the end of the season.

The former England midfielder was sacked by Everton earlier this year after just less than 12 months in charge at Goodison Park, as the Toffees found themselves dragged into the Premier League relegation battle.

He was in charge at Chelsea between July 2019 and January 2021 before being sacked and replaced by Thomas Tuchel. The Blues have named Lampard as interim boss as they begin an ‘exhaustive’ process to find a permanent replacement ahead of next season.

Hodgson has been appointed at Palace until the end of the season, with just one place between the sides in the league table ahead of the weekend’s action.

With Chelsea’s top-four hopes all but extinguished, Hodgson feels Lampard’s return makes sense for everyone involved.

“I don’t know that it was so crazy to bring Frank back to Chelsea,” said Hodgson.

“I think that could be a very wise move because he is very keen to get back into the game, he’s a very good manager, a very good football person and a massive Chelsea person as well, so if you’re looking for someone to take over the club during a period of instability before you’re 100 per cent certain what you want to do, then Frank is the ideal man.

“Because quite frankly, with their position in the table I would guess that Champions League now for them is a little bit of a utopia, and there’s no question of them getting relegated, so I don’t see any particular reason to question that decision at all, and I’m pleased to see Frank back getting that opportunity.”

Ahead of Man City’s trip to Southampton on Saturday, Pep Guardiola echoed the sentiments of Hodgson on Lampard’s Chelsea return.

He added: “We were in touch when he was at Everton. It is good to see him back, new opportunity at the club he loves. A new challenge for him.”