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The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

E264: Frank Lampard Finally Speaks Out About What REALLY Happened At Chelsea & Everton

Thu Jul 13 2023
Frank LampardChelseaFootballManagementPlayer RecruitmentPersonal LossMental Health

Description

Frank Lampard, former Chelsea manager and football legend, reflects on his early years, transition to management, experience as a manager, challenges faced, insights on player recruitment and management, personal loss, coping mechanisms, and his reflections on his time as Chelsea manager. Lampard discusses the importance of self-assessment, his upbringing's influence on his character, the pressure he faced as a manager, challenges in managing a team, insights on player recruitment and management, coping with criticism, personal loss and its impact on mental health, and his future plans. Throughout the episode, Lampard emphasizes the importance of hard work, clear communication, and building a strong team culture.

Insights

Frank Lampard's Upbringing Shaped His Character

Lampard's middle-class upbringing and his father's push for excellence in football played a significant role in shaping him as a person and a player. He developed an obsession with self-improvement from a young age and was known for outworking everyone else at West Ham.

Challenges Faced by Lampard as a Manager

Managing a high-stakes team like Derby County and Chelsea comes with pressure and criticism. Modern-day players are more vocal and knowledgeable about tactics, which can lead to questioning managers' decisions. Clear communication and preparation are crucial in managing a team.

Insights on Player Recruitment and Management

Understanding the philosophy and style of play desired by the club is crucial for player recruitment. Recruiting a coach who aligns with the club's vision and involving the owner, sporting directors, and manager in the recruitment process are important. Building a strong core and recruiting well are essential for long-term success.

Coping with Personal Loss and Mental Health

Lampard reflects on the sudden loss of his mother and the impact it had on him. He emphasizes the importance of mental health and discusses coping mechanisms such as prioritizing health, expressing emotions, and seeking support from loved ones.

Reflections on Lampard's Time as Chelsea Manager

Lampard believes Chelsea has a positive future under their new manager and with the young talented players in the squad. He appreciates the support from Chelsea fans and reflects on his playing career at Chelsea with gratitude. Lampard also praises Mason Mount's qualities as a player.

Chapters

  1. Frank Lampard's Early Years and Upbringing
  2. Frank Lampard's Transition to Management
  3. Frank Lampard's Experience as a Manager
  4. Challenges Faced by Frank Lampard as a Manager
  5. Frank Lampard's Reflections on Managing Chelsea
  6. Insights on Player Recruitment and Management
  7. Frank Lampard's Experience as Chelsea Manager
  8. Frank Lampard's Personal Loss and Coping Mechanisms
  9. Frank Lampard's Reflections on His Time as Chelsea Manager
Summary
Transcript

Frank Lampard's Early Years and Upbringing

00:00 - 06:29

  • Frank Lampard reflects on the importance of self-assessment and striving for improvement.
  • Lampard's character is shaped by his middle-class upbringing and his father's push for excellence in football.
  • Despite the pressure, Lampard's mother provided emotional support and balance in his life.
  • Lampard's early years involved intense training and coaching to overcome weaknesses.
  • His father's tough approach built resilience and determination in Lampard.
  • Lampard acknowledges that his upbringing, though challenging at times, played a significant role in shaping him as a person and a player.
  • The influence of his father led to an obsession with self-improvement from a young age.
  • At West Ham, Lampard was known for outworking everyone else, as noted by Harry Redknapp.

Frank Lampard's Transition to Management

05:59 - 12:06

  • The speaker enjoys the stress and intensity of physical training sessions.
  • They find satisfaction in pushing themselves to their limits and overcoming challenges.
  • This enjoyment of stress may stem from their upbringing and the emphasis on hard work and fitness.
  • While they used to focus on beating personal records, they now prioritize completing tasks without excessive pressure.
  • The speaker reflects on their decision to pursue a career in football coaching instead of other options like punditry or business.
  • They initially tried punditry but found more fulfillment in coaching and working with players.
  • Taking on the role of a manager brought new challenges, such as managing a team and setting the tone for the organization.
  • The speaker values both experience and youthful decisiveness in management, acknowledging that overthinking can hinder decision-making.
  • Overall, they feel refreshed by their venture into coaching at Derby County.

Frank Lampard's Experience as a Manager

11:45 - 17:57

  • In the early days of his managerial career, the speaker tried to be overly open and honest with his players, but quickly realized that they took advantage of it.
  • He learned that he needed to set boundaries and ask players to come prepared with facts and reasons if they wanted to discuss playing time.
  • The speaker reflects on the pressure of managing a high-stakes team like Derby County and Chelsea, but believes he has gained enough experience to handle criticism.
  • He mentions that modern-day players are more vocal and knowledgeable about tactics, often questioning managers' decisions.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of clear communication and preparation in managing a team.
  • There is no one blueprint for being a successful manager; some focus on tactics while others excel at man management.
  • The frequent changes in managers at Chelsea during the speaker's time there were not ideal for running a successful football club.

Challenges Faced by Frank Lampard as a Manager

17:30 - 23:22

  • In order to achieve success, it is important to make the team inclusive and work together.
  • Managing a large group of players can be challenging.
  • As a leader and manager, there are areas that need improvement.
  • Delegating tasks and time management are crucial skills for a manager.
  • Being overreactive can affect relationships with players.
  • Effort and standards are important values for the manager.
  • Not every player will have the same mentality, so it's important to either bring them up or let them go.
  • The club needs to be aligned with the manager's direction and decisions regarding players.
  • Maintaining cultural values within the team is essential for success.
  • Negative attitudes can be contagious in a winning sport like football.
  • Transitioning from player to manager requires understanding different roles and pushing towards success.
  • Establishing authority as a manager can be difficult when job security is low.
  • Managers need time to build authority and earn respect from players.

Frank Lampard's Reflections on Managing Chelsea

22:55 - 28:55

  • Changing managers frequently is not the most productive way to run a business in football.
  • Having a strong and talented team can bridge the gap of changing managers.
  • Great managers have good people skills and inspire every player within the group.
  • Man management is highly valued, as seen with Sir Alex Ferguson's tailored approach to leadership.
  • Inspiring individuals and creating memorable moments are more impactful than tactical discussions.
  • Being close to players, learning continuously, and coaching young players are important aspects for the speaker as a manager.
  • Creating inclusivity and unity within a squad is crucial for success.
  • Managing a large squad can be challenging, as seen with Chelsea's season of having 30 players.
  • The speaker acknowledges areas where they need to improve as a leader and manager.

Insights on Player Recruitment and Management

28:36 - 34:15

  • The optimal way for player recruitment is to understand the philosophy and style of play desired by the club.
  • Recruiting a coach who aligns with the club's vision is crucial.
  • Recruitment should be a collaborative effort between the owner, sporting directors, and manager.
  • Data analysis plays a significant role in player recruitment.
  • Personality and character are important factors to consider when bringing in new players.
  • To avoid an unhealthy culture at Chelsea, having a smaller squad size could have helped.
  • It's difficult to analyze previous moves made by others before taking charge as a coach.
  • Avoiding confusion and chaos after a legendary figure like Sir Alex Ferguson leaves is challenging for any club.
  • The Premier League is fast-moving, and falling behind can be detrimental to a team's success.
  • Building a strong core and recruiting well are essential for long-term success.

Frank Lampard's Experience as Chelsea Manager

33:58 - 39:41

  • Frank Lampard stays aware of media by reading articles and press conferences
  • He advises young players not to look at social media comments
  • Lampard faced criticism during the 2006 World Cup for not scoring goals
  • As a manager, Lampard finds criticism harder to handle than as a player
  • After a bad defeat, Lampard reflects on what went wrong and looks for solutions
  • Lampard describes feeling like a zombie after his mother's passing and had to play on autopilot
  • He emphasizes the importance of mental health in such challenging times

Frank Lampard's Personal Loss and Coping Mechanisms

39:12 - 45:07

  • The speaker reflects on a significant life event that occurred at age 29 and the importance of processing emotions.
  • The speaker discusses their openness about emotions and how their girlfriend helps them express their feelings.
  • The speaker attributes their empathy to their mother and mentions that having children has made them more emotional.
  • The speaker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health and recommends Woop, a wearable health and fitness coach.
  • The speaker shares their positive experience with Woop, highlighting its impact on sleep, performance, recovery, stress, and overall health.
  • The speaker talks about their relationship with Heel, a brand that offers nutritionally complete food in an environmentally conscious way.
  • When asked about the future, the speaker expresses interest in coaching but is open to other opportunities. They plan to spend time with family and travel.
  • The speaker discusses decision-making when it comes to job opportunities, emphasizing the need for alignment and shared values.

Frank Lampard's Reflections on His Time as Chelsea Manager

44:52 - 50:47

  • Frank Lampard believes Chelsea has a positive future under their new manager and with the young talented players in the squad.
  • Lampard appreciates the support he received from Chelsea fans and is fine after leaving the club.
  • He acknowledges the challenges he faced as a manager and takes responsibility for his part in it.
  • Lampard reflects on his playing career at Chelsea with pleasure and expresses gratitude for being part of a great club.
  • He praises Mason Mount's attitude, commitment, and quality as a player, stating that he will raise the bar at Manchester United.
  • Lampard speculates that Mason Mount's decision to leave Chelsea may be due to contract circumstances and the challenge of moving to a new club.
  • The podcast ends with a question about cultivating enthusiasm when someone hasn't identified their passion.
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