Swansea boss Paul Clement reveals he tried to sign Chelsea legend Frank Lampard before he announced retirement

SWANSEA boss Paul Clement has admitted he tried to sign Frank Lampard on a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Clement spoke with the former Chelsea and England star when he agreed to take over in charge at the Liberty Stadium.

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He wanted Lampard, 38, to sign up for the rest of the campaign in an effort to boost the club’s battle to save themselves from relegation.

The pair worked together over two spells at Chelsea when Clement was a rising young coach and then when he was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti with the first team.

AP:Associated Press

And Clement hoped that would give him an advantage in his attempts to persuade Lampard there was still life in his career after his two-season spell in MLS with New York City.

But the midfielder turned down the chance to re-join the club where he made his professional debut as a player during a loan period from West Ham.

Clement said: “We had a chat, I think he appreciated that I called him because of our relationship.

“I’m not saying it got close in any way, but we had a conversation. It did not go very far, but it would have been nice. It would have been good.

PA:Press Association

"His ability as a player we all know about, but he is also a very good leader and character and a fantastic professional."

Lampard has quit playing after a successful career for club and country where he made 1,019 appearances and scored 302 goals.