It's not been the happiest homecoming for Frank Lampard.
Chelsea's record goalscorer was charged with steering the ship for the remainder of the season when Graham Potter was sacked in April, but has rarely been free of troubled waters. In six Premier League games under Lampard, the Blue have grabbed just four points.
And for all the endeavour shown against Real Madrid, Chelsea were beaten 4-0 by the Spanish giants over two legs in the Champions League. Tough games against Man City, Man United, and Newcastle remain, before the iconic former midfielder again bids farewell to the Stamford Bridge faithful. He can expect a hearty round of applause in return - but his record in charge is unlikely to prompt a standing ovation.
Having been sacked by Everton earlier in the campaign, what now lies next for the England legend?
Lampard to start a rebuild at Southampton?
Walking out of an environment of riches and straight into St Mary's might come across as an unfathomable concept.
But worth remembering, that Lampard's first spell at Chelsea was initially restricted by a transfer embargo, and he initially drew praise for the manner of which he handled young players and fresh faces. Those traits could well stand him in good stead when Southampton look to make a full-time appointment this summer.
The club is braced for an exodus of its best players, and their first year in the Championship could well represent a rebuild, as opposed to a bid to storm back to the top flight. It's a league that Lampard has coached in with Derby before, and could be the ideal starting point to relaunch his managerial career.
Just don't mention his Uncle Harry's spell in charge there, that's all......
A second shot at the 'Swansea way'?
Lampard's nine-game loan stint with Swansea City back in the 1995/95 season may not have gone down in folklore, but Swans fans considered it significant to serenade him with 'Frankie Lampard is a Jack' some 20 years later.
But could a more permanent return to South Wales be on the cards? If Southampton don't swoop for Lampard himself, then they heave been heavily linked with the man currently in charge at the Swansea.com Stadium, Russell Martin. Should that situation materialise, then Lampard arguably fits the mould of Swansea's managerial appointments in recent years.
Young, ambitious, point to prove. The club have also tended to favour figures with links to Premier League clubs in the transfer market. Lampard certainly ticks that box.
An opportunity abroad?
Neither of Lampard's stints at Chelsea, not to mention his time in charge battling relegation at Everton, have come without intense scrutiny.
So could a move abroad, and a chance to work away from the the hyperbole that is English football, be the ideal ticket for a man bidding to re-establish his reputation as a boss? There's no current glut of jobs available in Europe, but Lampard may be monitoring the situation at French club Nantes.
Currently 17th in Ligue 1, the French club have caretaker manager Pierre Aristouy in charge as they battle to beat the drop. Should they fail, then the second tier may not be an attractive proposition, but it would represent a fresh and original challenge for Lampard, not to mention the chance to learn in a different environment.
Staying put at Stamford Bridge?
He's been keeping the hot seat warm for Mauricio Pochettino, but don't rule out the possibility of Lampard being redeployed elsewhere when the Argentine arrives.
So neither stint for the club icon has worked out as a manager, but the notion that Lampard excels in communicating with young players remains. And the fact he promoted Under-14s captain Charlie Holland to first-team training last week indicates he has finger on the pulse with the academy sides.
A place on Pochettino's coaching staff seems unlikely. But with the pair set for talks, don't rule out Lampard being offered a role within the structure of the club he knows inside out.
