Jose Mourinho has hinted that Frank Lampard could be his successor as Chelsea manager, despite the player's loan move to Manchester City.
The 36-year-old left Stamford Bridge at the end of last season as the club's all-time top scorer and with two Premier League winners' medals - but soon went to the Etihad Stadium after joining New York City FC.
Mourinho has dimissed suggested the former England international tarnished his legacy at Chelsea with the move, instead revealing that Lampard has an open invitation to "do what he wants" when the time suits.
"I still believe that what this club proposed to him, which is to be back when he wants and to do what he wants - these were the words from Mr Abramovich - I think it's not in any danger," Mourinho told reporters.
"It's just a period of his career. We thought he was going to play for New York. He decided to play for City. It was just an option, and he had that right to do that.
"His place in Chelsea's history is untouchable. I think, in the future, nothing has been lost. He can be back one day, I think so. If he wants to be a manager, he could succeed me."
Chelsea face Premier League champions City on Sunday off the back of four wins from their opening four games, and after playing down his side's title chances last season Mourinho is more confident for this term.
"I think [Manchester City[ are the same team as last season, no?" he said. "We improved. We improved our squad and our team. I'm not saying we have problems - we have big space to improve.
"I want to make everything better. Everything. I'm not happy with what we have. We must improve in everything. We are in the beginning of our second season. We are far from being the perfect team.
"Are we better than last season? We believe so. Do we have more potential than before? I believe so. But we still have lots of work to do."
GOAL.COM
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