Lampard could be a Premier League manager this time next week if…

Frank Lampard is in line to make a sensational return to Premier League management in a matter of days should everything fall into place for the Chelsea and England legend.

Lampard has been out of work since leaving Chelsea little over 12 months ago, when he kept the manager’s seat in the dugout warm between the departure of Graham Potter and the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino.

The 46-year-old is increasingly being linked with jobs, though. Last week, he was touted as a surprise candidate to take over at Serie A club Roma, where Ivan Juric is already under pressure barely a month after replacing Daniele De Rossi.

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Lampard, though, could be in the hotseat at West Ham United this time next week should the Premier League side lose Saturday’s fixture against at home to Everton.

According to the Guardian, the Hammers are already poised to review the position of Julen Lopetegui should they suffer defeat against the Merseyside club.

The former Real Madrid and Spain head coach had faith put in him by West Ham in the summer after they decided to end a successful spell under David Moyes by taking a different, more attractive direction.

But with just three wins in 10 Premier League matches, this switch has proven to be problematic.

Following a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest last time out, the pressure is once again on Lopetegui, who bought himself more time thanks to a 2-1 win over Manchester United in the Hammers’ previous outing.

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Lampard is the favourite to take the West Ham job from Lopetegui, having started his playing career at the club.

Indeed, the ex-midfielder is priced at 3/1 for the job and, being out of work, would be readily attainable.

TalkSport presenter Jeff Stelling certainly believes it is a possibility.

He said: “Is it time, if Lopetegui goes, for West Ham to bring Frank Lampard home? Just a thought. He is available. He’s been mentioned in connection with the Roma job, but West Ham would be ideal for him.”

Other leading candidates to be next West Ham manager are Graham Potter at 5/1, Michael Carrick at 13/2 and Gareth Southgate at 7/1, though the former England boss has said he will not take another job this season in order to have a break from the game.