Derby County have appointed Frank Lampard as their new manager.
Former Nottingham Forest player Jermaine Jenas has suggested on Twitter that Derby County have made a brave and inspiring decision appointing Frank Lampard as their new manager.
The Rams were on the lookout for a new manager after predecessor Gary Rowett left Pride Park to join fellow Championship rivals Stoke City, paving the way for Derby to take a punt on Lampard.
It’s a risk for both parties as the former Chelsea midfielder steps into his first managerial role, while the pressure will be on as Derby seek a return to the Premier League following a decade outside of the top-flight.
Taking to social networking site Twitter, Jenas feels the Rams are leading the way by taking a chance on another young coach and he wishes Lampard all the best…except when they face rivals Forest.
Jenas is a former Nottingham Forest academy product and popular figure among the City Ground faithful, therefore his praise of east Midlands club rivals Derby holds further weight and goes to show how brave of a decision it is for both parties.
Derby managed to finish sixth in the Championship last season, reaching the playoffs where they ultimately succumbed to a 2-1 aggregate defeat to eventual playoff winners Fulham.
Lampard inherits a team with plenty of experience and evident ability, but his first task will be to lower the average age of the squad and inject some much-needed mobility in the middle of the park.
It will be interesting to see whether the club will have to sell top scorer Matej Vydra to raise funds for potential new signings, as heavy spending in recent seasons has left them battling Financial Fair Play rules.
With Aitor Karanka rebuilding Forest’s squad down the other end of Brian Clough Way, both the Reds and Derby supporters have reason to be optimistic about their respective chances next season.
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