Petr Cech has claimed Frank Lampard is not the only contender for the vacant manager's job.

And he says Chelsea hope to have the position filled before their players begin returning for pre-season, avoiding a repeat of the uncertainty of 12 months ago.

Chelsea had a bizarre start to their build-up to the 2018/19 season when Antonio Conte had to turn up for work and oversee the opening few days of training, even though it was an open secret he would be sacked, as he remained under contract.

Petr Cech has insisted Chelsea want to have a new manager in place before training begins

He was eventually replaced by Maurizio Sarri, who himself has now left Stamford Bridge after just a season to return to Italy and become Juventus manager.

This year, Chelsea's stars begin to filter back from Wednesday and Cech's former teammate Frank Lampard is first choice to be their new boss.

Chelsea's new technical and performance advisor Cech said: 'The club has identified some of the coaches they are dealing with. The situation is open, Frank is one of the candidates. I could speak about all the candidates with the leadership, they know my ideas.

'The first team will start the preparation, by that time we would like to solve the coach's question.' Chelsea were given permission by Derby to speak to Lampard on Tuesday but have yet to reach a total agreement to name him Sarri's successor.

Chelsea have agreed to pay £4m compensation for Lampard though finalising his terms has taken longer.

Derby start their own pre-season on Monday and their players were in the dark on Sunday about whether Lampard would be there to lead them.

Derby announced last week that they had given Frank Lampard permission to speak to Blues

Monday is also the first day of Cech's new role following his retirement at the end of last season.

Cech finished his glittering career as an Arsenal player before returning to Chelsea and revealed he turned down six offers to continue playing while the Gunners' reshuffle of their hierarchy meant they had no room to allow the 37 year-old to extend his stay at the Emirates.

Cech will work closely with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, the club's first-team coaching and backroom staff and also travel to home and away games.

Cech said: 'It's something new to me, but I don't feel nervous. That's the thing that surprised me.

'The first thing is to choose a coach, it will affect the next job. The coach will have his ideas. The idea is that I will be with the first team to have the opportunity to watch the development of the preparations. When I decide I want something to work in some way, I have to go to the club management first to allow it. It's right, I'm new to the role. But I have enough possibilities to influence the club, which is a great responsibility and I like it.

'My job description is to look at the first team, the academy, the transfer policy, the data from training. Everything hides under performance. The range is broad, occupying all the disciplines that belong to football. My job is to report and especially bring ideas.'