Former
Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has returned to the club's coaching staff
as a technical mentor to young players under Frank Lampard.
The 46-year-old, who was an essential part of the Blues' successive Premier
League-winning teams of 2004/05 and 2005/06, will work closely with
individual academy players, tracking technical performances in both training
and matches.
He will also visit Chelsea players out on loan, alongside former team-mates
Carlo Cudicini and Paulo Ferreira, to give them regular feedback on their
development.
Makelele said: "I am very happy to come back home. This club gave me a lot
and now I want to give back and help the young Chelsea players dreaming of a
career in football.
"I want to use all my experience to help them become professionals in every
aspect and I am looking forward to getting started."
Club director Marina Granovskaia added: "We are very pleased to welcome
Claude back to Chelsea, where he made such an impact during five excellent
years as a player.
"His long and successful career on the field, added to his winning mentality
and experience as a coach in recent years, make him the ideal person to pass
on his expertise to our talented youngsters. He will be a valuable asset to
both our academy and first-team coaching staff."
Makelele has previously coached under Carlo Ancelotti at Paris Saint-Germain
and was assistant manager to Paul Clement at Swansea before most recently
working as manager of Belgian top-flight side Eupen.
After joining Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2003, he won every domestic honour
in his five seasons at the club - two Premier League titles, two League Cups
and an FA Cup - before moving to PSG.
The French international, who earned 71 caps for his country, will work
closely with new manager Lampard and his backroom staff, which includes Jody
Morris and Petr Cech.
top