According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, Frank Lampard and Steve Cooper are on Burnley’s short list of possible successors for soon-to-be Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany.
It is known that, should either of them desire the Turf Moor position, Cooper and Lampard are both sought by The Clarets.
Since leaving Chelsea in 2023, Lampard has been without a club, and Cooper hasn’t had a job since leaving Nottingham Forest in December of last year.
Kompany’s shocking transfer to the huge Bundesliga team is expected to be official. The Manchester City veteran and Bayern are said to have reached an agreement in principle that will pay Burnley somewhat more than £10 million.
Cooper and Lampard on Burnley’s shortlist
Journalist Alan Nixon disclosed on his Patreon that Burnley is considering former Forest manager Cooper and Chelsea and Derby County manager Frank Lampard to succeed departing Kompany.
Nixon adds that Alan Pace, the owner and chairman, would rather have a manager who has a track record of promotions on their resume—something Cooper checks off—or a well-known figure in the football management industry.
Even though Lampard doesn’t have a promotion to his name, he is still well-known; according to Nixon, the former manager of Derby County and Everton fits the profile that the Clarets and their American owners and investors prefer.
Nixon wraps off his report by stating that Burnley has three potential candidates in mind and that they don’t anticipate having any trouble getting the salary and benefits they want. This information comes from intimate knowledge.
Cooper would be safer option
Burnley, a team that has no intention of being in the Championship longer than necessary, may find that former Nottingham Forest boss Cooper is their best option if they want to maximise their chances of making the trip just a passing one.
The Welshman, who took over a Forest team that was relegated to the Championship’s bottom when he took over in September 2021, is a proven winner at the second division level.
The now 44-year-old led Forest on an incredible ascent up the division in that same season, and they eventually secured Premier League promotion over Huddersfield Town at Wembley Stadium, providing a fitting conclusion to their incredible journey.
Just behind Manchester United (27) and Liverpool (28) in the Premier League this season, Nottingham Forest had the third-most shots after a counterattack with 24. 🔥 This demonstrates the players’ calibre and the effectiveness of Steve Cooper’s counterattacking strategies.
When Cooper was removed from his position in December of last year, many Forest supporters were likewise incensed because they believed he was still the best person for the job.
Without a question, Cooper has shown that he is a skilled Championship manager. Should he lead Burnley back to the top level, he will surely be entitled to another chance at managing in the Premier League.
Lampard would be a very risky move.
When Kompany arrived at Burnley, there were whispers that, despite his large name and skill as a player, he wouldn’t be a good manager because Anderlecht had not won the Belgian league in his two seasons there.
Although it was a significant risk, Kompany’s Burnley team eventually blew everyone away and won the Championship, but he was unable to translate his success in the lower leagues into the top flight.
Along with Lampard, he offers the global recognition that comes with a name so well-known, but there are many unanswered questions about his managerial skills.
| Frank Lampard managerial record, per Transfermarkt | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Club | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| Chelsea | 45 | 17 | 33 |
| Everton | 12 | 8 | 24 |
| Derby County | 26 | 15 | 16 |
Regarding his management background, Lampard will benefit from the fact that his most successful tenure in the dugout occurred in the second division with Derby County.
The Rams were led by him to a sixth-place finish in the Championship, and they defeated Leeds United in one of the greatest play-off matches ever before their season ended tragically in the play-off final.
Burnley would be foolish to take such a big risk on Lampard if Cooper, an established player, were to seek the position.
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