You know when you play Football Manager for too long and ex-players suddenly start becoming managers at clubs?Well, that is happening in real life now, and it has seen Steven Gerrard swap his role at Liverpool with the youngsters, for the managerial role in the SPL with fallen giants Rangers.It also looked a dead cert that Mikel Arteta would become the new Arsenal manager, replacing the outgoing Arsene Wenger after 22 years at the club, but a last minute change of heart saw the Gunners appoint Unai Emery instead.Well, the latest surprise appointment could be well and truly upon us, and it involves former Chelsea and Manchester City player Frank Lampard.Lampard, who was working for BT Sport last night to help cover the Champions League final, confirmed he is in ongoing talks with Championship side Derby Count about the club’s vacant managerial position.The former England midfielder retired last year after ending his glittering playing career with Major League Soccer franchise New York City and has emerged as the frontrunner to take over at Pride Park.Speaking on BT Sport’s Champions League final coverage, the Chelsea great said: “There’s been interest from Derby, I’ve been speaking to them.“I’m ambitious and I want to become a manager at some point. It’s a big club, with big tradition and big history, which I really like.“We’ll carry on speaking when I go home and see.”

Lampard, 39, would be taking over a club who are desperate for promotion having last tasted Premier League football a decade ago and suffered several near promotion misses since.

Previous boss Gary Rowett left to join Stoke City this week after losing to Fulham in the play-off semi-finals.

Derby seem to be edging closer to Premier League football once again, but they just can't seem to get the job over the line.

Maybe with Lampard's experience and winning mentality, he could be the man to finally bring them back to the promise land.

However, with it being his first managerial job, who knows how it could end.