Frank Lampard closes in on Derby County manager job after advanced talks with the Championship club

FRANK LAMPARD is closing in on the Derby County manager's job after holding advanced talks with the Championship club.

The Chelsea legend, 39, has edged towards the top job at the Rams after earlier this week claiming he is desperate to go into management.

Lampard would inherit a team who finished sixth in the Championship last season, who he calls "ambitious" and a "big club".

The ex-England ace revealed: "There's been interest from Derby, I've been speaking to them.

"I'm ambitious and I want to become a manager at some point.

"It's a big club, with big tradition and big history, which I really like.

"We'll carry on speaking when I go home and see."

Former West Ham star Lampard - who has also held talks with Ipswich this summer - will be taking over a side expecting to at least make a promotion push once more.

'I'M AMBITIOUS' Frank Lampard confirms he is in talks with Derby County about becoming manager

In 2017-18,  they crashed out of contention at the play-offs semi-final stage - losing to eventual winners Fulham.

The Rams last tasted Premier League football ten years ago - suffering an horrific season, with just one win and 11 points from their 38 games, finishing dead-last.

Now, Lampard will walk into one of the most demanding jobs in the Championship as the rookie boss is set to become the eighth Rams manager in the last five years.

Chairman Mel Morris has already said he will be cutting costs this summer - with little cash for major signings.

Lampard would instead need to use his connections to land some top loan signings in the summer window.

Derby are expected unveil Lampard this week - and appoint Chelsea Under-18s coach Jody Morris as his No2, after the pair became friends during their playing days at Chelsea.