Chelsea have confirmed the return of Frank Lampard as the club's new manager, with the former Blues midfielder signing an three-year deal to replace Maurizio Sarri.
Despite a third-place finish in the Premier League last season and Europa Leagueglory, Sarri struggled to win over fans and jumped at the chance to succeed Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus.
Lampard quickly emerged as the stand-out candidate to take over at Stamford Bridge, having made a promising start to his managerial career with Championship outfit Derby County.
He moulded a young, attack-minded side - which featured two Chelsea loanees in Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount - and narrowly missed out on promotion after losing to Aston Villa in the play-off final.
Derby had wanted to keep Lampard, and even opened talks over a new contract, but he was convinced to return to Chelsea and the Blues have paid around £4million in compensation.
The 40-year-old faces a testing first season in charge as Chelsea face up to the prospect of a two-window transfer ban, though they have appealed the decision.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, Lampard will not be able to make any new signings until next summer and will need to utilise the academy to a far great extent than previous managers.
Lampard enjoyed 13 hugely successful seasons at Chelsea as a player and remains the club's record goalscorer, winning three Premier League titles and the Champions League.
He is unlikely to be the only familiar face returning to west London, with Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole both linked with roles in Lampard's backroom team, while former Chelsea academy boss - and Derby assistant - Jody Morris also moves to Stamford Bridge.
Comments