There is very rarely any certainty at Chelsea Football Club. As someone so eloquently put it on social media 'every Chelsea manger is an interim one'.
This was something Bruno Saltor was very aware of having taken temporary charge of the club following the dismissial of Graham Potter. Following the draw against Liverpool, Chelsea's coach expected little: "As it stands, I expect to go home and rest and focus on day-by-day."
Even in the short term, it never looked like a long-term arrangement. From each of his press conferences, a degree of reluctance could be seen in the Spanish coach who had worked exclusively under Potter and suggested that the 47-year-old facilitating a 'smooth transition' was the reason he was still at Cobham.
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While patrolling the technical area, Bruno was spared the ferocity from the crowd that Potter received against Aston Villa. The Blues had made subtle changes but produced a familiar performance - dominating Liverpool in many respects but missing a glut of chances. Much of the anger already appeared to have dissipated by Tuesday night with change coming and names such as Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann already linked to the club.
Frank Lampard was in attendance at the match and smiling from a Stamford Bridge box. When he nexts arrives, he will have a much closer view of the pitch.
At Easter, it seems fitting that Lampard returns but just for a short time. There's no doubting the high regard that the midfielder who racked up 211 goals across 648 appearances in his playing days before taking charge in west London in a difficult moment with the club under a transfer embargo.
His Chelsea dismissal caused controversy as Marina Granovskaia and Roman Abramovich acted with the club in eighth position in the Premier League, and that season ended in Champions League glory under Thomas Tuchel. On this occasion, the competition is all Chelsea have left to play for with a fixture against Real Madrid awaiting Lampard's second match in charge.
A light-hearted comment followed by a serious remark may be exactly what Chelsea need to see out the season.
There will be valid questions of the 44-year-old's credentials after he was sacked by Everton earlier this season. What Chelsea's owners and directors have probably taken note of is how Lampard galavanised the Toffees, very well supporter by fans, to stave off relegation in 2021/22. If there is one guarantee, it is that Lampard's first match back at Stamford Bridge will have a very different atmosphere to Graham Potter's last.
The club and players need confidence and perhaps Lampard can provide that. The temporary nature of his role will allow a degree of ruthlessness in how he can handle the substantial squad size with players futures more likely to be dictated by their own needs or the next head coach set to arrive in the summer.
From the former England international's perspective, it offers a free hit of sorts. Should he be able to improve the Blues' form it will enhance a coaching reputation that needs rebuilding, while the situation he finds himself in, it would be difficult to provide judgement if things continue as they are. It doesn't appear that things could get too much worse for the Blues but we will soon find out.
Chelsea have possibly found a short term solution as they look to maintain a long term vision. Accusations that the change in coach has simply been to negate a worsening perception of the ownership will arrive.
Stamford Bridge had turned into a venue of frustration and negativity however. With Lampard's return, and a hint of nostalgia, perhaps Chelsea can have some fun before the end of the season.
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