Lampard on the moment he knew it was time to retire

November 12, 2025 Oliver Obel

Frank Lampard’s glittering career for club and country ended in 2016 — but the former England midfielder has revealed that a light-hearted exchange with a young Manchester United player made him realise it was time to step away from the international stage.

The Chelsea legend, now managing Championship front-runners Coventry City, said that moment made him feel his age more than any physical strain ever had.

A career that defined an era

Over 21 years, Lampard built one of English football’s most remarkable résumés. He closed his playing career at New York City FC in 2016, following a spell that saw him win 13 trophies with Chelsea — including five Premier League titles and the 2012 Champions League.

According to Premier League records, no other central midfielder has scored as many goals in the competition’s history, with Lampard’s total standing at 174. He also joined an elite group of just ten players to win more than 100 England caps.

After retirement, he turned to management — taking charge at Derby County, Chelsea, and Everton before guiding Coventry City to the top of the Championship this season.

An unexpected Manchester detour

Lampard’s final Premier League season came in unexpected fashion. After being released by Chelsea in 2014, he was widely expected to move straight to Major League Soccer with New York City FC.

Instead, fans were surprised when he was unveiled at Manchester City, the MLS club’s sister side.

As Sky Sports reported at the time, what was initially described as a loan deal turned out to be a short-term City contract — later extended through the 2014–15 campaign. Under Manuel Pellegrini, Lampard made 32 league appearances, scored six goals, and helped City maintain their title defence before departing for the United States.

After 18 months in New York and one full MLS season, Lampard called time on his career at age 38, saying:

“At 38, I feel now is the time to begin the next chapter in my life.”

A sign from the next generation

Two years earlier, Lampard had already stepped away from international football after earning 109 caps for England.

In a 2024 interview with The Independent, he reflected on one light-hearted conversation that helped him decide it was time.

“I was having a chat with Luke Shaw, and I mentioned Tony Adams,” Lampard recalled with a laugh. “He didn’t seem to know who I was talking about.

I said, ‘Are you winding me up?’ And he said, ‘Who did he play for?’ That’s when I knew it was time to retire.”

He chuckled as he told the story — but admitted it gave him pause.

A generational reminder

Whether Shaw was joking or not remains unclear, but the comment highlighted a simple truth: football never stops moving.

Shaw, born in 1995, had grown up long after Adams’ prime. The former Arsenal captain, who spent his entire 19-year career with the Gunners, lifted four top-flight titles and earned 66 England caps. Adams featured in three international tournaments, though injuries and selection issues kept him out between 1990 and 1994.

For Lampard, the exchange wasn’t a moment of frustration — just a gentle, funny reminder that time had moved on.

He smiled and added, “That’s when you realise the game changes — and you’ve got to let it.”

Sources: The Independent (2024), BBC Sport, Sky Sports, Reuters