Bookmakers have stopped taking bets on Frank Lampard being appointed the next manager of Chelsea, after Maurizio Sarri departed for Juventus.

Sarri was finally confirmed as the new boss of Juventus, leaving Chelsea after one season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia confirmed: “In talks we had following the Europa League final, Maurizio made it clear how strongly he desired to return to his native country, explaining that his reasons for wanting to return to work in Italy were significant,” she said.

“He also believed it important to be nearer his family, and for the well-being of his elderly parents he felt he needed to live closer to them at this point.

“Maurizio leaves Chelsea with thanks from us all for the work he and his assistants did during the season he spent as our head coach, and for winning the Europa League, guiding us to another cup final and a third-place finish in the Premier League.

“We would also like to congratulate him on securing the role as big as any in Serie A and to wish him the best of luck for the future.”

Now Derby boss and Chelsea legend Lampard is set to be the man they turn to, just one year into his own managerial career – as he only took charge of the Championship outfit last summer.

Lampard has been odds-on for a number of weeks and now Bookmakers have closed their markets on the next Chelsea manager.

“It looks like Frank is heading back to Stamford Bridge to replace Maurizio Sarri, and after being flooded with bets for the past couple of months on the move, we have now decided to pull the plug on the betting,” said Coral’s John Hill.