Lampard Acknowledges Mourinho Influence In Managerial Style

Lampard played under some of the top managers in world football including the likes of Brazil’s 2002 world cup winning coach, Luis Felipe Scolari, Fabio Capello, Rafael Benitez, Carlo Ancelotti, Guus Hiddink and Sven-Goran Erikson, but it was under Mourinho whom he really flourished.

Lampard and Mourinho won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and two league cups together at Chelsea, enjoying a harmonious working relationship along the way.

The former England midfielder is now leading Chelsea from the dugouts in difficult circumstances after cutting his managerial teeth at Derby County last season, but he took time to acknowledge the impact his former boss has had on his short career managerial career.

"I've been influenced by all the managers I've played under but probably Jose (Mourinho) as much, if not more, than anyone else," Lampard told Sky Sports News.

"He was the one at the point of my career when my performances and mind set got better, giving me a lot of confidence within the team.

"So I try to act like that with my players now, trying to have a personal relationship with them which means driving them every day to be better, trying to help them to be confident and understand what they need to do to keep going up the levels as a player.

"So I took a lot from Jose but I certainly don't want to be typecast as trying to be a Jose person because I am my own person."

Lampard will be looking for his first home win as Chelsea manager when leaders Liverpool come visiting in the Premier League on Sunday.