Chelsea legend Frank Lampard says it would be a "great thing" if Jose Mourinho returned to manage the Blues. The 34-year-old midfielder won two Premier League titles and three other major trophies during Mourinho's three-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Mourinho, currently managing Real Madrid, is the top favourite to replace Chelsea's interim boss Rafael Benitez.
"I think it would be a great thing for the club, I think he is a fantastic manager," Lampard said. "I've seen speculation before and a completely different manager walks through the door so we never know on that front but he is certainly one of the greatest managers, if not the greatest, in world football, so I'm sure the club and the fans will be happy to have him.'' Lampard, whose Chelsea contract expires at the end of this season, was asked if he would stay if Mourinho got the job. ''Yes I would, but let's see what happens. I've always said I want to spend all my career here. I think everyone knows that.''
Benitez will leave the club at the end of the season and Mourinho, who is expected to quit his job at Real Madrid at the same time, has been tipped to return to the club where he enjoyed great success between 2004 and 2007. Earlier this month the Portuguese manager said: "I know in England I am loved. I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one". His agent, Jorge Mendes, told Italy's Radio Mana Mana there was an "80%" chance the Portuguese will take the Chelsea job in the summer. But Mourinho said he had not yet decided to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season.
Lampard also had good words for retiring Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. "We are competitive with Man United, we want to beat them and fans don't like them, but with Sir Alex Ferguson maybe you have to look up and say what a great man and manager he is. He has been incredible as a man that has run the club, his desire to get the best out of players, to keep evolving the team - what he has done is a complete one off. I think he was, for the period of time he did it, the greatest. A lot of managers, the Jose Mourinhos of this world, are making a play for that and they have to do it as long as Fergie has."
Chelsea face Aston Villa on Saturday in a match that means a lot to both clubs. Chelsea, who are currently third in the table, need a win to secure their Champions League qualifying position, while Aston Villa, who are five points clear of the relegation zone, would need a point to secure their Premier League status for another season. Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Aston Villa win - 7/2
Draw - 14/5
Chelsea win - 17/20
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