Written by Training Ground Guru — January 31, 2022
FRANK LAMPARD has taken four staff with him to Everton - assistant Joe Edwards, first-team coaches Paul Clement and Ashley Cole, and first-team coach and Head of Performance Chris Jones.
On Monday, the former England midfielder was announced as the new manager of the Toffees on a two-and-a-half-year contract until June 2024. He immediately brought in Edwards, Clement and Jones, with the appointment of Cole confirmed three days later.
Assistant Duncan Ferguson has remained on the staff, as has goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly.
The departure of Edwards marked the end of an era for Chelsea, as the 35-year-old had worked for the club for 27 years as both player and coach. He was a schoolboy player with the Blues before being released at the age of 16.
His coaching career started with the youngest players at the Academy in 2004 and he took charge of the Under-18s for a two-year spell from 2014/15, during which time they won back-to-back FA Youth Cups.
After that he was promoted to lead coach of the development squad, guiding the team to the semi-finals of the senior Checkatrade Trophy - the furthest any Academy team has ever got in the competition. The U19s also finished as runners-up in the Uefa Youth League in successive seasons.
Edwards was appointed assistant with the first team under Lampard in the summer of 2019 and remained under Thomas Tuchel, forming part of the German’s backroom team that won the Champions League in Porto last May.
Chelsea said Edwards “leaves Chelsea with our best wishes for the future and thanks for his years of service” and that his position on Tuchel’s coaching staff “will not be replaced at this time.”
Clement is a hugely-experienced coach, having managed Derby County, Swansea City and Reading. He knows Lampard from his four years at Chelsea, from 2007 to 2011, when he held coaching roles with both the Academy and first team.
He has been out of football since being sacked by Belgian side Cercle Brugge in February 2021.
Jones was on Lampard’s staff at Derby County and Chelsea, having worked with him when he was a player for the Blues. The 50-year-old moved to Stamford Bridge in 2006 from neighbouring Fulham, initially working in the Academy before being promoted to first-team duties under Carlo Ancelotti.
After that he served under six different managers at Stamford Bridge - Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto di Matteo, Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddick and Antonio Conte.
Cole, who will continue in his role as England U21 assistant to Lee Carsley, leaves Chelsea, where he was an Academy coach.
Lampard said: “I’m delighted to add Ashley into my backroom team. Everyone knows about his superb playing career and what he has achieved in the game. He is now a well-respected coach which has been recognised by his work with England U21s.
"He’ll bring a wealth of enthusiasm, game-play experience and is a very good young coach who adds strength to our coaching staff.”
Everton said there had been “a robust recruitment process with several candidates being interviewed by the club’s majority shareholder (Farhad Moshiri) and Board of Directors” for the manager's role.
Speaking about Lampard’s appointment, Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright said: “Frank impressed us greatly throughout our process, coming across as a modern, ambitious and exciting young manager.
“He expressed a clear vision on how he wants to take the club forward and, importantly, a tremendous passion and genuine enthusiasm to join us.
“I’m sure Evertonians will give him the special welcome that only they can and will be looking forward to giving him and his coaching staff a warm Goodison welcome next weekend.”
-1.png)
