Frank Lampard tritt zurück

Frank Lampard hat eine Entscheidung zu seiner sportlichen Zukunft gefällt - und sie ist final.

Der englische Mittelfeldspieler hat sich nach langer Bedenkzeit dazu entschieden, die Schuhe an den Nagel zu hängen - nach 21 Jahren Profikarriere.

Via Instagram hat er seine Entscheidung erläutert. Trotz zahlreichen Offerten habe er das Gefühl, dass mit 38 Jahren nun der Zeitpunkt gekommen sei, das nächste Kapitel seines Lebens zu beginnen.

Mit Stolz blickt er auf seine zahlreichen gewonnen Trophäen, mehr als 100 Länderspiele und mehr als 300 Karrieretore zurück. Persönlich dankt er seinen Eltern, die ihm wichtige Werte auf den Weg gegeben hätten. Ausserdem bedankt er sich für den riesigen Support seiner Ehefrau Christine und seiner beiden Töchter Luna und Isla.

Auch seine vielen Teamkollegen, Trainer und sonstigen Weggefährten hätten grossen Anteil an seiner Karriere. Schliesslich betont Lampard, dass von seinen durchlaufenen Stationen "der grösste Teil meines Herzens Chelsea" gehört.

Der Ex-Profi wird nun eine Trainerlaufbahn einzuschlagen versuchen und beginnt die Ausbildung beim englischen Verband FA.

After 21 incredible years, I have decided that now is the right time to finish my career as a professional footballer. Whilst I have received a number of exciting offers to continue playing at home and abroad, at 38 I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life. I’m immensely proud of the trophies I’ve won, of representing my country over 100 times and of scoring more than 300 career goals. I have many people to thank. I thank my parents for instilling in me the values of hard work, dedication and professionalism, values which I have carried with me in everything that I do. I am forever grateful for the support of my family, my wife Christine and my two daughters Luna and Isla. What you have given me off the pitch has always been my strength on it. I love you all very much. Also, my friends and my own team that have always been there for me. I would like to thank the amazing team-mates, coaches, managers and backroom staff that I was privileged to work with. I’d also like to pay tribute to the clubs that I have represented. Firstly, West Ham United who gave me my debut in 1996. Thanks to the people there that believed in me at that young age. More recently Manchester City and NYCFC. I greatly enjoyed my last playing years at these two clubs and really appreciate the support I received from City Football Group and both clubs’ fans. Of course, the largest part of my heart belongs to Chelsea, a club which has given me so many great memories. I will never forget the opportunity they gave me and the success that we managed to achieve together. It is impossible to give thanks individually to all the people that helped and supported me in my 13 years playing there. All I can say is from the day I signed until now and going forward, I'm eternally grateful for everything and to everyone. Chelsea fans gave myself and my teammates such incredible support. Their passion and hunger drove me on personally to give my best year after year. I couldn't have done it without them. Looking forward, I'm grateful to the FA for the opportunity to study for my coaching qualifications and I look forward to pursuing the off-field opportunities that this decision opens.

Ein von Frank Lampard (@franklampard) gepostetes Video am 2. Feb 2017 um 2:56 Uhr