Frank Lampard is urging Antonio Conte to stay at Chelsea amid speculation about the manager’s future at the club.
The former Juventus boss has been the subject of lengthy debate since the summer, with reports that Conte dismissed as “bull***t” last month hinting at divisions within the Chelsea camp.
But Chelsea legend Lampard has urged the Italian to stay put after watching the club rise to success under his reign.
“Unfortunately in the Premier League, if you don’t win every game, people start talking about your job,” Lampard told Omnisport.
“But I think with Conte, everyone close to Chelsea knows what a great manager he is and I hope he stays and I think he’ll be more successful.”
Conte inherited the club in the aftermath of rival coach Jose Mourinho’s disastrous final season at Stamford Bridge, when the Portuguese was sacked after he led Chelsea to a dramatic decline that at one stage saw them hovering just one point above the relegation zone.
“It was a difficult period for the club,” Lampard said. “We don’t come 10th, it doesn’t happen normally.
“To change that around, with pretty much the same group of players that shows what a great manager he is. Great tactically, great with the players, the players work very hard together.”
Lampard believes Chelsea’s performance is down to Conte’s tactics and managerial skills which saw the Blues take home the title last season.
“Last season they won the league very comfortably, because of Conte’s management, I think to a big degree. So we’re very early in the season now.”
Chelsea are currently trailing Manchester City by nine points in the Premier League following Saturday’s 1-0 win against Manchester United.