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Chelsea legend Frank Lampard may be open to managing Tottenham as the London rivalry would "not be a dealbreaker", according to reports. Lampard previously stated he would never cross the London border and manage Spurs due to his affinity with Chelsea. But journalist Ian McGarry, who claims he knows Lampard "very well", thinks differently.
Tottenham news: Frank Lampard would reportedly not rule out managing Spurs (Image: GETTY)
"Frank is someone I know very well, he's pragmatic, he's ambitious, he wants to progress his coaching career," McGarry said on the Transfer Window podcast.
"I don't think he would see crossing the border if you like from south west London to north London necessarily as a dealbreaker for him."
In November 2019, after former Chelsea manager Mourinho was appointed Tottenham boss, Lampard stated he would never follow the same path as the Portuguese.
"I can firmly say no and you can replay that again in 10 years," Lampard said.
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Tottenham news: Frank Lampard won a stack of trophies as a player at Chelsea (Image: EXPRESS)
"It wouldn't happen but I think things are different [to Mourinho].
"I have an absolutely deep feeling for the club. Chelsea is certainly something very close to my heart, hence why I am so proud to manage this club and hence why unfortunately I would never manage Tottenham."
However, McGarry notes how Mourinho is not the only person to have managed both Chelsea and Spurs.
And he reckons moving to a club with a lower bar in terms of success could appeal to Lampard.
McGarry added: "It's been done before, obviously Jose Mourinho is the latest Spurs manager who also managed Chelsea, Glenn Hoddle did the same thing as well, and Andre Villas-Boas.
"I don't think there's necessarily a massive burden of problems with regards to that.
"I think what Frank would look at is 'what are my chances of achieving success? How good is the squad currently? How much of a budget do I have to improve the squad in certain areas?'.
"But with a low bar, unlike at Chelsea where they expect success immediately which is why he only lasted 18 months in that job, then perhaps that could be attractive to him.
"Whether Daniel Levy thinks it's worth the risk, well I don't think Daniel Levy is someone who pays attention to anyone else's opinion except his own, and if he thinks it's the right thing to do then he'll pursue Lampard."