Football
ESPN staff 6y

Derby boss Frank Lampard: John Terry 'will be there for me'

New Derby County manager Frank Lampard has not ruled out offering a contract to former Chelsea teammate John Terry.

Lampard was confirmed as manager of the Championship club on Thursday, his first appointment since retiring from playing.

And with Terry available on a free transfer after being released by Aston Villa, Lampard was quickly asked if he would look to be reunited with his close friend at Pride Park.

"I haven't even had a conversation with John. All I will say is that I'll look at the squad as a big picture," Lampard told a news conference. "I have talked to him this season about how he was getting on in the Championship. He has told me bits.

"I got a text message off him this morning, but he's on holiday. We are close, and he will definitely be there for me [to talk to].

"There are conversations ongoing across the board, that isn't one of them. These conversations start now. John's had a great career but we'll concentrate on what we want to do here."

Derby, however, have spent big in recent seasons and have one of the largest wage bills in the division, making a move for Terry financially unlikely.

"It's impossible to spend at the levels we have, year after year," Derby owner Mel Morris said. "It's time to bring our house in order. But it's time to progress as well. Frank will inspire the players we have and bring in new ones.

"Every manager is a gamble. If I was slam dunk [and promotion] it would be easy. But Frank is incredibly humble and has great energy."

Harry Redknapp, who is Lampard's uncle and managed him at West Ham, has revealed he advised Derby to take a chance on a rookie manager. He believes Lampard will be a success at Derby, who lost in the Championship playoff semifinals this month before former manager Gary Rowett left for Stoke City.

"I spoke to Mel Morris when the position became available; I rang him up and had a chat with him, and things moved from there," Redknapp said. "He met Frank and I think it's a fantastic signing for Derby.

"Frank hasn't spent the last 20 years with his eyes closed -- he's an intelligent guy. He was the best professional and the best trainer I ever came across, by a million miles.

"He's going to take that now into management. The most important thing he needs is good players."

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