WORLD Cup-winning defender Frank Leboeuf believes Frank Lampard is ‘growing up’ as a manager with Coventry City.
Leboeuf played the full 90 minutes of the 1998 World Cup final as France beat Brazil 3-0 to win football’s greatest prize.
He also featured for Chelsea in the Premier League but left the capital club the same summer Lampard joined the Blues from West Ham United.
Leboeuf feels Lampard returned to Stamford Bridge too early as a manager but believes he can rebuild his reputation with Coventry following the club’s strong start to the season.
Speaking to OLBG, Leboeuf said: “Well, you know, there is one guy already there [at Chelsea], called Enzo Maresca.
“I’m not always okay with what he says and his way of thinking about football, but he’s doing good, so we have to respect him.
“I’m very happy for Frank. The two times that he went to Chelsea haven’t been a success, and maybe it was too soon.
“I think he’s growing up. I’m happy for what he’s doing right now and for Coventry.
“I thought there was a crap stadium, but the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic there.
“Now, if he’s going to go back to the Premier League, I think it would be for me showing some humility for him to stay at Coventry, work hard, and show the world that he deserves credit, and he needs to build his legend.
“Show what you’ve done and then think okay, I can go to a bigger club.”
