Frank Lampard says it was an “easy decision” to return to Chelsea as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
The 44-year-old, describing the Blues as “my club”, spoke of his pride at being offered the opportunity to return a little over two years since he was sacked.
Lampard, ahead of taking his first training session with the squad, said: “It was an easy decision for me because this is my club.
“I’m also a very practical person. I’ve been on a different path since I left Chelsea but, to come back, as I’ve been asked, and be back here with a belief that I can help until the end of the season is really great. I’m delighted to get the opportunity and I’m thankful.
“I’m confident in myself and I have a good understanding of the squad – I’ve worked with many of them before - the training ground, the stadium and the fans.
“I will do my utmost in this period to give the fans what they want, with all my heart.”
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali will continue to look for a long-term replacement for Potter alongside co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique are understood to be among the frontrunners for the role but it remains an open race between five to seven candidates.
Lampard will, however, want to show what he can do in the nine remaining league games and with a mouth-watering Champions League double-header against Real Madrid.
He admits the temporary nature of the role is clear but wouldn’t rule out staying on beyond the length of his contract, adding: “The explanation of my role speaks for itself but I’m not getting ahead of myself.
“I want to do the job to the best of my ability and in a way that can impact the club. I want to do the best I possibly can until the end of the season and after that, we’ll see what happens.”
