Claude Makélélé set to return as ‘Young Player Technical Mentor’ to Chelsea — report

Following rumors from earlier this summer, when it looked like every single Chelsea hero and legend will be coming home with Frank Lampard, Claude Makélélé is actually set to return to the club as the new “Young Player Technical Mentor” — as per Goal’s Nizaar Kinsella.

That may sound like a brand new position — Makélélé already has a role named after him, so it would fit theme! — but is probably just an extension of what Eddie Newton used to do for the loanees before joining Lampard’s coaching staff this summer. Makélélé will also fulfill ambassadorial duties, and joins Carlo Cudicini as one of the two new faces alongside old hands Paulo Ferreira, Christophe Lollichon, and possibly Tore Andre Flo (and others less often mentioned) in the loanee department. Chelsea unfortunately do not publish an org-chart.

Makélélé has been in coaching for almost a decade, starting as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at PSG, and has also tried his hand at management with SC Bastia, where he lasted two months, and KAS Eupen, where he’s spent the last two years.

Welcome back!