Jody Morris leaves Chelsea role to become Frank Lampard's assistant | OneFootball

Jody Morris has left his role as Chelsea under-18s manager to become Frank Lampard’s assistant at Derby.

The 39-year-old, who represented the Blues over 170 times as a player, has been extremely successful working with the youth sides at Stamford Bridge.

Since 2013 he had been working as assistant with the under-21s, but four years ago took over at the under-18s and made them into the best side in the country.

Four Premier League southern titles were followed by a national title and the FA Youth Cup.

But Morris has confirmed he will leave his boyhood club to team up with his former teammate at Pride Park.

“Chelsea has, is and always will be my club – I count myself extremely lucky to have been born close enough to the stadium that it was my local club and I became a fan (at a time when it was the trend to follow the most famous or successful clubs regardless of how far away the teams were),” he wrote on Instagram.

“Then to play a few games and win a couple of trophies for the team that I supported and had been a part of since I was 8 years old was a dream come true.

“To follow all this I’ve held amazing and very fulfilling roles within the club in helping develop and nurture what I hope will be the future of the club, as well as develop myself as a coach and person for the past five years.

“I’ve always been ambitious and have the passion and drive to work at first team level and feel I’ve been ready for this, so the opportunity to work with Frank and Derby County was too good an opportunity to turn down.

“Thank you so much to you the Chelsea fans who have always been so supportive through good and bad times – I’m one of you. Hopefully this isn’t goodbye, but more of a see you again.”