Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard has dismissed a suggestion from Manchester United legend Roy Keane that he avoids criticism as a coach because he is English.
The Blues currently sit in fourth position on the Premier League – five points clear of Red Devils – but have suffered one more defeat than the Old Trafford club.
Speaking to Sky Sports after Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle United, Keane believes Lampard is escaping scrutiny – compared to United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – because of his nationality.
“I watched Chelsea last night, decent team, they couldn’t get the job done,” Keane said.
“They’ve lost eight games but for some reason Frank’s doing alright, maybe ’cause he’s English, I don’t know.”
Lampard praised Keane for the passion in his punditry but said he isn’t treated differently as a manager because of his English nationality.
“[That comment] was the moment my ears pricked up because I don’t think being English gives you any sort of a bye from criticism,” Lampard said prior to Chelsea clash with Arsenal on Tuesday.
“In fact, I heard quite a lot when I first got this job of [people] writing me off because I’m young and English and only had a year at Derby.
“Fair play to Roy, I love watching him talk about football because of how passionate and to the point he is, but I don’t think I’ve had any byes for being English and sometimes it feels slightly different.
“I don’t need to name names. But certain people were saying you shouldn’t give him the job. Give it to people who have got experience of doing well in Italy or somewhere else or whatever. I don’t even know where to go with it. We were just all aware there would be those sorts of feeling.
“I don’t feel isolated [as an English manager in the Premier League]. A manager that comes from another country will get praise or criticism. A manager that is English and home-grown will get praise or criticism at different points of their career. That is why I try not to get drawn on it. What I wouldn’t say is that I only get praise because I am English – I think every manager gets the same.”
