Derby Excuse Lampard For Chelsea Talks, Benitez Explains Toon Exit

1st July 2019 - by AFP

Championship club allow manager and former Blues legend to miss the start of pre-season as return to his former side edges closer

Derby County's English manager Frank Lampard looks on during the English Championship play-off final football match between Aston Villa and Derby County at Wembley Stadium in London on May 27, 2019. PHOTO/AFP

SUMMARY

Lampard was last week given permission to speak to the Blues, with whom he won 13 trophies in 13 years as a player at Stamford Bridge
Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez has pinpointed Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's vision for the club as the reason his three-year reign in charge of the Magpies came to an end last week
His departure has sparked more anger among the Newcastle support towards Ashley, who has owned the club since 2007, with many fans posting on social media that they will not renew their season tickets

LONDON, England- Derby County have excused manager Frank Lampard from the start to the Championship club's pre-season training programme with the former midfielder expected to complete a return to Chelsea this week.

Lampard was last week given permission to speak to the Blues, with whom he won 13 trophies in 13 years as a player at Stamford Bridge.

"Derby County Football Club has excused Frank Lampard from reporting back for pre-season training on Monday and Tuesday to allow his discussions regarding a potential move to Chelsea to be concluded as soon as possible," Derby said in a statement on Monday.

"On the assumption that Frank will reach an agreement with Chelsea to become their new manager, the club shall step up its efforts to find a replacement manager."

Chelsea have been seeking a new manager since Maurizio Sarri departed to take charge of Juventus last month.

Meanwhile, Rafael Benitez has pinpointed Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's vision for the club as the reason his three-year reign in charge of the Magpies came to an end last week.

Hugely popular

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid manager was a hugely popular figure among the supporters on Tyneside after leading the club to promotion in his first full season and stabilising Newcastle in the Premier League over the past two years.

However, Newcastle announced last week that no agreement between the parties had been reached to extend Benitez's contract despite talks over a "significant period of time".

Benitez had not hidden his displeasure at the lack of backing he was afforded by Ashley and was believed to be seeking assurances over the budget he would have to work with before committing his future to the club.

"I wanted to stay, but I didn't just want to sign an extended contract, I wanted to be part of a project," Benitez said in an open letter to the Newcastle fans.

"It became increasingly clear to me that those at the top of the club did not share the same vision.

"I'm very sad about that, but I do not regret for one moment my decision to come to Tyneside and I'm very proud about what we achieved together."

Benitez's departure has sparked more anger among the Newcastle support towards Ashley, who has owned the club since 2007, with many fans posting on social media that they will not renew their season tickets.