Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is on the verge of joining Juventus, which could open the door for Derby manager Lampard to make a stunning return to Stamford Bridge
Boyhood Derby fan Niall Horan believes Frank Lampard will not be able to turn down the Chelsea job.
The Blues legend has been heavily tipped to replace Juventus-bound Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge this summer.
Lampard excelled in his debut managerial season with Derby as he guided the Rams to the Championship play-off final.
And former One Direction singer Horan insists Derby will miss the former England midfielder if he leaves for Chelsea.
He told talkSPORT: “It’s a sad prospect. You can’t turn down the Chelsea job, can you? I don’t think the fans fans would be very upset if he came back.
“If he does leave Derby, we’re going to miss him. I’ve been a Derby fan since I was a child, and I haven’t seen anything he’s done to the club since Jim Smith in the early 2000s.
“If you saw it at Wembley, I’ve never seen a crowd wait around after a play-off final [defeat]. He got a standing ovation, he walked around with the crowd – you can’t ask for more really.
“We’ll see what happens next season if we spend a few quid, we might be there or thereabouts again.
“If we do it again, it’ll be our sixth play-offs in about eight seasons, I don’t know if I’m able for it anymore, but it is what it is.”
Lampard won every major honour during a hugely successful 13-year spell with Chelsea.
The 40-year-old is widely expected to leave Derby if his old club come calling.
When asked if he’d wish Lampard well in the Chelsea hotseat, Horan said: “Of course. Frank is a good mate of mine and it was amazing that one of my mate’s was managing my boyhood club.
“It was an amazing feeling to chat to him about who’s fit, who’s not fit and results and stuff like that.
“If he comes to Chelsea, he’s going to be welcomed here with open arms."
Niall Horan will be playing in Soccer Aid for Unicef, which will be broadcast live on ITV on Sunday June 16, starting at 6.30pm. To donate to Unicef, visit socceraid.org.uk
