EXCLUSIVE
WARNING
Frank Lampard has been warned not to touch the Newcastle United job with a bargepole following his sacking at Chelsea, but Darren Bent says he’ll be a perfect fit at Celtic.
Barely 24 hours had gone by since Lampard’s Stamford Bridge departure was made official before the coach was linked with a handful of other jobs.
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Among those in discussion are Newcastle and Celtic, with both Toon boss Steve Bruce and Hoops manager Neil Lennon under pressure and facing growing calls to leave their posts.
Lampard has even been installed as the third favourite for the Celtic job by bookmakers, behind Rafael Benitez and Eddie Howe, and talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan has also said the former England international would be a great fit at his old club Crystal Palace.
Both Benitez and Howe have also been linked with the Newcastle role, but asked if St James’ Park would be a good option for Lampard if under-fire Bruce does go, Bent told the talkSPORT Breakfast: “Oh no, I wouldn’t do that.
“The way Newcastle are at the minute, there’s a real negativity at the football club, and for Frank if he steps in there and it doesn't go to plan again ,he’s going to be under even more pressure.
“The Geordie fans are unhappy anyway, so for Frank I wouldn’t go near that job, no.”
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Rangers legend Ally McCoist raised his doubts over the Celtic rumours on Tuesday morning, claiming Lampard would likely be aiming a bit higher than the Scottish top flight for his next job.
Instead, he tipped the ex-midfielder to leave English football and make a move abroad.
But Bent believes taking the Celtic job would provide the perfect training ground for Lampard to learn more about his trade before returning to the Premier League.
“I’d love to see Frank Lampard at Celtic,” added the former Premier League striker.
“Celtic and Rangers are two massive clubs with big fanbases, in the hunt to win trophies every single season.
“After that spell at Derby and it not working out for him at Chelsea, I think it would do him some good, win some games.
Ally McCoist dismisses talk of Frank Lampard taking over at Celtic and believes he'll want to manage in a bigger league than the Scottish Premiership
“I know there’ a lot of pressure up there, you’ve got to finish above Rangers and vice-versa, I understand that.
“But you look at the time Steven Gerrard has been given at Rangers and how good they have become, if Frank is given the same time at Celtic that would be superb.
“I think you’ve seen what it can do to certain managers - Brendan Rodgers went up there, won absolutely everything, came back and got a very good job at Leicester - there’s no reason why Frank couldn't do the same.
“You think of the players Frank could attract as well. If Thomas Tuchel doesn't want to lean on some of the youngsters because he’s not afforded time, there’s no reason why Frank couldn't get them up to Celtic on loan, or maybe even a couple of them on a permanent deal.
“I think it would be a win-win for Frank.
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“I know Ally was talking with his Rangers hat on, but for Frank Lampard, get away from the Premier League and go to Celtic, it’s a massive club with a big fanbase, hopefully win some trophies and then come back to England more prepared as a coach.
“One thing you’d have to say, going from Derby to Chelsea the jump is massive. Derby is a big club but it’s not Chelsea, they’re one of the biggest clubs in the world!
“So give him the time to find his way again, get a bit of confidence and then go back [to the Premier League].
“I’d go to Celtic, wins some games, hopefully win some trophies, spend a couple of seasons up there and get your confidence back, and then when he feels ready then come back and take a job.”