Former Chelsea player Frank Lampard takes over as manager of Derby County

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is taking over as manager of second-division club Derby County.

The English team says the 39-year-old Lampard has signed a three-year contract.

The former England international says “I know it won’t be easy - managing a football team never is - but I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

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In his time at Chelsea from 2001-14, Lampard became the club’s record scorer with 211 goals, made 649 appearances and was the heartbeat of teams that won three Premier League titles, four FA Cups and the Champions League in 2012.

Lampard started out at West Ham before finishing his career with short stints at Manchester City and then New York City FC in Major League Soccer before retiring last year.