Football fans will get to see Frank Lampard in the dugout for the first time next season.

After deciding to hang up his boots in 2016, the Chelsea legend has spent time working through his coaching badges and proving himself as a brilliant pundit with BT Sport and the BBC.

Going into the 2018-19 campaign, though, he is taking the ultimate career step in football.

Lampard was announced this summer as the new Derby County manager and the man charged with taking the Rams back up to the Premier League after 10 years away from the top division.

Speaking at his unveiling on May 31, Lampard explained: "I'm here to succeed and be competitive. My aim from the first day of pre-season is to be successful, and that means promotion.

"I had the pleasure of so many great managers, I'm not a clone of any one manager I had.

"I saw what I thought was the good, and the bad of them, I'll make my own judgements. I'll be open."

Of course, given his stature and reputation, there will no shortage of publicity around his performance as Derby manager and the pressure will ramp up within months.

It's a similar case with Steven Gerrard who took the Rangers job after a year of sitting alongside Lampard as a fellow television pundit.

One way Lampard can optimise his chances of success is by utilising Derby's financial strengths and although no signings have been made quite yet, numerous targets have already emerged.

And it seems one signing could be straight out of Lampard's old Chelsea team.

According to German publication SportBild, Hertha Berlin striker Salomon Kalou is wanted by Lampard this summer and the club are willing to accommodate his departure.

Hertha are asking for a 'double-digit million' offer and it remains to be seen whether that will deter Derby or not.

Kalou plied his trade at Chelsea between 2006 and 2012, winning the Premier League, four FA Cup trophies and even the Champions League title alongside Lampard.

At age 32, the Ivorian forward is now past his prime but his experience in English football could make him a key asset at Pride Park Stadium next season.

If Lampard is willing to meet Hertha's demands, then he could pull off an eye-catching early coup.

You wouldn't exactly blame the 40-year-old for splashing the cash in a summer and season that could ultimately define his managerial career.

It would be brilliant to see Lampard and Kalou reunite, though, if nothing else.

Do you think Lampard will make a good manager at Derby? Have your say in the comments section below.