Almost a decade has passed since Frank Lampard informed The Times of his long-term ambition. He was part of a generation of players who were already being lured towards the television studio rather than the dugout but, after putting on a coaching session for children at an FA community event, he said that he saw his future in management. “To be honest,” he said, almost in a whisper, “I would love to manage Chelsea one day.”

That day promises to come sooner rather than later. The Chelsea job is about to be vacant once more, with Maurizio Sarri set to join Juventus after one season at Stamford Bridge, and while Nuno Espírito Santo and Ralf Rangnick are also under consideration, there is a growing belief