Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates with the trophy following the UEFA Champions League Final at the Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany. Picture: Owen Humphres/PA

Frank Lampard was surprised Harry Redknapp was sacked

Chelsea star Frank Lampard believes that Andre Villas-Boas has a hard task, following in Harry Redknapp’s footsteps at Tottenham.

The Portuguese boss was appointed as Spurs’ head coach last week and the 33-year-old midfielder believes his former manager has to work hard to keep them challenging at the top of the Premier League.

“AVB has inherited an exceptional squad of players,” he told The Sun.

“A squad that’s good enough to bring Champions League football and contend for the Premier League title. A team that’s played some terrific, thrilling attacking football and scored goals for fun.

“So AVB is a lucky man taking over at Spurs because the players are so very good. Admittedly that can be a double-edged sword, though.

“Because Harry Redknapp will be an extremely tough act to follow. Harry lifted Spurs to an amazing level.

“The way he turned that club around was remarkable. They were at absolute rock bottom when Harry came in.

“Then all of a sudden they’re playing in the Champions League and competing at the very top. So he did an incredible job there and he definitely didn’t deserve to lose his job.

“That’s why I was really surprised when Harry left. He did wonders at Tottenham and I thought him leaving was a terrible shame.”