Former English international Frank Lampard is taking himself out of the running for Canada’s men’s national soccer team coaching job, according to a story by The Daily Telegraph.
Following initial talks, Lampard decided that the Canada job did not represent the right opportunity for him to return to management, the newspaper reports.
Lampard has been out of work since a spell as interim manager of Chelsea finished at the end of last season. Canada had placed him on a shortlist of coaches to take over and lead the national team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I’m enjoying being with the family and looking to get back at some point,’ said Lampard when it was reported he was on the list of candidates. “Hopefully something comes up that feels right for me, I’m keen to get working again but as I reiterate, I’m enjoying family life.
“It’s an intense job so when you’re out of it, it’s nice to appreciate being around all my children.
“You love the job. you understand the rigours of it in the modern day. I’ve enjoyed all the clubs I’ve worked with. They’ve all been big challenges for different reasons. I enjoy working with players, improve players and the team, so let’s see what comes.”
Lampard, 45, had an extensive club career in England’s Premier League, making 429 appearances with Chelsea, in addition to stints with West Ham and Manchester City, before a late run in Major League Soccer with NYCFC. The former midfielder also represented his country at the senior level on 106 occasions.
His managerial experience is less extensive. His first job was with Championship side Derby County in 2018, which was quickly followed by a return to Chelsea as the man in charge in 2019. Things did not go as planned, with Lampard lasting just 18 months. A year later, he was brought in to help struggling Everton in January of 2021, where he helped the club avoid relegation, but was sacked within a year. His last job was in a caretaker role back at Chelsea, which was for just 11 games last spring.
Lampard’s W-D-L managerial record is 81-44-71. He has no experience at the international level.
Interim manager Mauro Biello has been running Canada’s men’s program since John Herdman stepped down a year ago in order to take over at Toronto FC. The men’s team recently qualified for this summer’s Copa América, which will see them play Chile, Peru, and World Cup champion Argentina in June. Before that, the CMNT will play a friendly against the Netherlands, with another warmup match against France rumoured to be in the works.
Canada will co-host the 2026 men’s World Cup with the U.S. and Mexico, with games at BMO Field in Toronto and BC Place in Vancouver.
