Former
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard has received some "flattering" offers to return
to management since his January sacking but insists he will wait for the
right opportunity to come up.
Chelsea dismissed the 42-year-old after only 18 months in charge, following
a run of five defeats in eight Premier League games that left them ninth in
the table.
Lampard has since been linked to a number of jobs, including coaching the
England Under-21s, as well as roles at Premier League side Crystal Palace
and Scottish outfit Celtic.
"I've had some opportunities that have come up in the last six weeks, two
months, that have been flattering but not the right thing," Lampard said in
a question-and-answer session ahead of this month's London Football Awards
in support of Willow Foundation.
"Nobody wants to lose their job and come out of the game you love, but at
the same time ... when you go into this career, this will happen, no matter
how good you think you are or whatever circumstances you are in."
Lampard's wife Christine Bleakley gave birth to his fourth child - the
couple's second - last month, and the former Derby County boss said he hoped
to ease back into management.
"It was certainly the time for me to take a step out, having been managing
for 2-1/2 years full pelt and having the family situation," Lampard added.
"The opportunities weren't quite right but I think about it. It would be
something I'm keen to do, at the right time, at the right place."
'I tried to sign Rice'
Lampard also went on to admit that he tried to sign West Ham midfield Declan
Rice, who has played a key role in the Hammers' push for Champions League
football this season.
"You see him (Declan Rice) in the England squad and quickly you don't see an
England team without Declan in it," Lampard added.
"We are fortunate to have him in England, West Ham are fortunate to have
him.
"He's a leader and it is clear that he's destined for great things. I have
probably given it away with how I spoke about him but I think it's common
knowledge that I was a big fan of his.
"It didn't happen for various reasons, but we brought in a lot of players in
the summer. But I was a big fan of him. For understandable reasons, West Ham
know the player that they have on their hands."
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