Chelsea boss Frank Lampard turned down the job at Ipswich Town, it has been revealed.

His uncle Harry Redknapp revealed the current Chelsea chief was offered the Tractor Boys' hotseat before he took over at Derby two years ago.

Redknapp said: “I got him the job at Ipswich.

"I phoned Marcus Evans and said 'Listen you need a manager, Frank Lampard's your man.'

“He met him, loved him, offered him the job. Frank said 'Harry, they've got no budget, it's difficult there. I can't bring any players in. What can I do?'

“I said 'It's a great club, Ipswich, Frank but you're going to need a bit of help. You ain't got a magic wand.'

“Then suddenly the Derby job became available and I rang Mel Morris. He's got a house up the road from me and I get on ever so well with him.

"I said 'Mel, you looking for a manager?'

“He said 'Yeah, I'm going to go with an experienced manager.'

“I said 'Mel, you keep getting managers and getting rid of them. You've not been very clever at picking managers. Take Frank Lampard.'

“He said 'No, he's got no experience.'

“I said 'Well, there have been lots of great managers who have gone out straight from playing.' Graeme Souness, Kenny Dalglish and now we've got Steven Gerrard.

“I said 'Listen he knows the game. The kid's a great professional, he understands football, he'll be fantastic for you. He'll bring so much to Derby County Football Club.'

“He said 'Maybe as assistant I might be interested in talking to him'.

“I said 'No he wants to be a manager, Mel. Meet him, please have a meeting with him.'

“I said 'When are you in London?'

“He said 'I'm in London tomorrow.'

“I said 'Well I'll ring Frank. I've not even spoken with him, he may not be interested in the job.'

“I made a meet for them the next day. I rang Frank, he said 'Yeah I'd love to meet him.'

“They had a meeting at seven o'clock. Mel rang me at half-past eight and said 'Oh my god Harry, he's blown me away. I've given him the job.' And that was it."