Derby County manager Frank Lampard has reportedly agreed a deal to become the new Chelsea boss and will take up the role next week.

According to the Sun, Lampard has agreed a three-year deal worth £5.5 million a year and will take over at Stamford Bridge next week.

The 41-year-old will replace Maurizio Sarri, who became the Juventus manager earlier this month after just one year at Chelsea.

In a statement made yesterday, the Championship club said they had granted permission for the Blues to speak to Lampard about the position and hoped that it would allow "Chelsea to swiftly conclude their discussions".

It is understood that the fine details of the deal are still being finalised and that assistant manager Jody Morris will move with Lampard to Chelsea.

The Rams boss' only management experience is the past season at Pride Park, where he led his side to the playoff final after a sixth-place finish.

Verdict

This is a saga that has dragged on frustratingly long for Derby. It has appeared likely Lampard would return to his former club for a while now and this news should allow the Rams to move forward in preparations for next season.

The Derby players are due back for pre-season training on 1st July, so the club will want to have their new boss in place as early as possible.

Darren Moore is reportedly a name on Derby's shortlist and could be a clever move. The 45-year-old's West Bromwich Albion team were fourth in the Championship when he was sacked in March last year, proving that he knows how to lead a team in contention for the playoffs.

It is tough to know what to expect from the Rams this season, with a number of core players from last season, such as Harry Wilson, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount, having left Pride Park at the end of their loans.