Ok, this isn’t a real headline. But what if it was?
At West Ham we love to hate a former player. Paul Ince, Joey Beauchamp, Jermain Defoe and of course Frank Lampard Jnr.
Frank has recently taken 
over at Derby County and will start his first ever managerial role away to Reading in August. The media are of course all over it. In theory he has the makings of a good manager. He’s intelligent, has the right contacts, he had a stellar playing career with Chelsea where he basically won everything (sorry, but I needed to put that in!!) and as a result will immediately command the respect of his players. Time will tell of course but it got me thinking – if he makes a success of his spell with Derby over the next 3 or 4 years would I welcome him to West Ham as manager?
I was never one of those who hated Frank Lampard. I’ve never hated any of our current or former players. His time with West Ham was pretty decent – in total he played 148 times in Claret & Blue and scored 24 goals (according to Wikipedia). His dad is of course a West Ham legend. But as an overall fanbase we have given him grief for almost 20 years.
Personally I want the best for West Ham. If that means we appoint Frank Lampard in the future then so be it. I would welcome him home and support him just as passionately as I have any other manager (Glenn Roeder aside because that was a disaster waiting to happen from minute one!!).
So, with his history with the Club and fans (and assuming he would even take the job!!) would YOU welcome him back? Before you take the typical knee jerk reaction just think about it. I’m talking a few years down the line. During this time he has been a success with Derby. He has taken them into the Premier League playing an attacking brand of football and has not only kept them up but has comfortably delivered mid-table or better. Not impossible – just look at Bournemouth.
This is all hypothetical and may well never happen. But isn’t it time we moved on from the ‘hatred’ of former players? If they offer the best option for our Club should we not welcome them back?
I welcome your thoughts as always. COME ON YOU IRONS!!!!!!!
@PhilWHU