Everton manager Frank Lampard has opened up about the advice he was handed by some top-level coaches.
The former Derby County and Chelsea boss moved into management after ending his playing career, and is still learning when it comes to certain aspects of the game. Part of that process has involved listening to more experienced figures who have succeeded and failed in the past.
In the 44-year-old's case, this meant Alex Ferguson, reigning Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti and the late, great Walter Smith. All three spoke to the former England midfielder at various stages of his career, and their words appear to have stuck with him.
"I spoke with Walter Smith before he passed away after I left Chelsea," Lampard said on BT Sport Social Series. "He gave me some fantastic advice, and so did Carlo Ancelotti at one point and Sir Alex Ferguson. The main gist I got was finding perspective on their job. Maybe they can say this because they’ve been through so much in their own ways, good and bad.
"As a young coach you can feel every defeat really heavily, maybe celebrate every win really heavily, and get very drawn into it and consumed by the job. I’ve always found that these managers who’ve achieved such great success have that calmness in all situations, and they passed it on in their words to me and their manner.
"You can only learn from people like that. And in the race to the top for all us young coaches, you can want to get there really quickly and that can be energy sapping if you’re not careful.
"The experienced coaches that I’ve been fortunate enough to be close to always give you that perspective. Whether it be more family time, whether it be how you deal with certain situations – I always find that very helpful."
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Lampard is preparing for his first home Merseyside derby this weekend, with Liverpool visiting Goodison Park. The away side are expected to welcome back Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota on Saturday, but will be without a number of midfielders including captain Jordan Henderson.
Everton made two signings on deadline day, adding midfielders Idrissa Gana Gueye and James Garner to their ranks. Both could feature on Saturday, as could recent arrival Neal Maupay after the striker was unable to feature against Leeds United in midweek.
"I think it's a good example of us trying to move forward in a sensible direction, improving the team, improving the core of the team in midfield - getting energy in there, as well as quality," Lampard told the media in his pre-match press conference. "Now we've got good competition in there as well, which is important, of course, with a long season."
Watch the Merseyside derby live on BT Sport 1 from 11:30am on Saturday 3rd September. With the BT Sport monthly pass, you can watch everything on BT Sport for the next 30 days for £25 with no contract. For more info, visit bt.com/sport
