• Maurizio Sarri, August 2018. The Italian's roller coaster 12 months in charge at Stamford Bridge began in serene fashion. His side cruised to an emphatic 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town in his opening Premier League match, with N'Golo Kante, Jorginho from the penalty spot and Pedro accounting for the goals. Getty
    Maurizio Sarri, August 2018. The Italian's roller coaster 12 months in charge at Stamford Bridge began in serene fashion. His side cruised to an emphatic 3-0 win at Huddersfield Town in his opening Premier League match, with N'Golo Kante, Jorginho from the penalty spot and Pedro accounting for the goals. Getty
  • Antonio Conte, August 2016. Conte was made to sweat before he was victorious in his opening league game at Chelsea. Eden Hazard's penalty had put the Blues ahead against West Ham United, but their London visitors equalised 13 minutes from time through James Collins. But Diego Costa, with who Conte would have a volatile relationship, struck a minute from time to seal a 2-1 home win. Getty
    Antonio Conte, August 2016. Conte was made to sweat before he was victorious in his opening league game at Chelsea. Eden Hazard's penalty had put the Blues ahead against West Ham United, but their London visitors equalised 13 minutes from time through James Collins. But Diego Costa, with who Conte would have a volatile relationship, struck a minute from time to seal a 2-1 home win. Getty
  • Guus Hiddink, December 2015. Hiddink's second caretaker role, his first being in 2009, started off well as Sunderland were beaten 3-1 at home. Chelsea had won only one of their previous seven league games, but there was no struggles on show here against relegation-threatened Sunderland. Branislav Ivanovic scored after five minutes, with Pedro and an Oscar penalty completing the scoring. Getty
    Guus Hiddink, December 2015. Hiddink's second caretaker role, his first being in 2009, started off well as Sunderland were beaten 3-1 at home. Chelsea had won only one of their previous seven league games, but there was no struggles on show here against relegation-threatened Sunderland. Branislav Ivanovic scored after five minutes, with Pedro and an Oscar penalty completing the scoring. Getty
  • Jose Mourinho, August 2013. Mourinho had enjoyed a successful first spell in charge of Chelsea and he started off his second reign in winning fashion in August 2013. Newly promoted Hull City were comfortably beaten 2-0 at home, with first-half strikes from Oscar and Frank Lampard ensuring a comfortable day at the office. Getty
    Jose Mourinho, August 2013. Mourinho had enjoyed a successful first spell in charge of Chelsea and he started off his second reign in winning fashion in August 2013. Newly promoted Hull City were comfortably beaten 2-0 at home, with first-half strikes from Oscar and Frank Lampard ensuring a comfortable day at the office. Getty
  • Rafael Benitez, November 2012. The Spaniard had been a surprise choice to replace Roberto Di Matteo in an interim role, given his history as Liverpool manager and the rivalry he had with the London club during that time. Benitez would win over the Chelsea fans but his first game in charge was a home goalless draw with Manchester City. Getty
    Rafael Benitez, November 2012. The Spaniard had been a surprise choice to replace Roberto Di Matteo in an interim role, given his history as Liverpool manager and the rivalry he had with the London club during that time. Benitez would win over the Chelsea fans but his first game in charge was a home goalless draw with Manchester City. Getty
  • Roberto Di Matteo, March 2012. It would be for guiding Chelsea to their lone Uefa Champions League success in May 2012 that Di Matteo would be remembered. But he began life as manager, initially in a caretaker role, with a 1-0 win over Stoke City, with Didier Drogba's second-half strike proving the difference maker. Getty
    Roberto Di Matteo, March 2012. It would be for guiding Chelsea to their lone Uefa Champions League success in May 2012 that Di Matteo would be remembered. But he began life as manager, initially in a caretaker role, with a 1-0 win over Stoke City, with Didier Drogba's second-half strike proving the difference maker. Getty
  • Andre Villas-Boas, August 2011. There had been much hype over the arrival of Villas-Boas as manager. Perhaps in keeping with the tenure of the Portuguese, his first game was an underwhelming goalless draw at Stoke City and he would be fired six months later. Getty
    Andre Villas-Boas, August 2011. There had been much hype over the arrival of Villas-Boas as manager. Perhaps in keeping with the tenure of the Portuguese, his first game was an underwhelming goalless draw at Stoke City and he would be fired six months later. Getty
  • Carlo Ancelotti, August 2009. Ancelotti's two-year stint in charge at Chelsea began with a last-gasp 2-1 win at home to Hull City. Hull had caused a surprise by taking the lead, before Drogba levelled and then struck a stoppage-time winner. Chelsea would win their first six league games under Ancelotti and win the title in his first season. Getty
    Carlo Ancelotti, August 2009. Ancelotti's two-year stint in charge at Chelsea began with a last-gasp 2-1 win at home to Hull City. Hull had caused a surprise by taking the lead, before Drogba levelled and then struck a stoppage-time winner. Chelsea would win their first six league games under Ancelotti and win the title in his first season. Getty
  • Guus Hiddink, February 2009. Hiddink's first interim stint began after the mid-season sacking of Felipe Scolari with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa. In a forgettable match, Nicolas Anelka's 19th-minute winner proved to be difference between the two sides, and the Dutchman would go on to galvanise the side to win the FA Cup in May. Getty
    Guus Hiddink, February 2009. Hiddink's first interim stint began after the mid-season sacking of Felipe Scolari with a 1-0 win at Aston Villa. In a forgettable match, Nicolas Anelka's 19th-minute winner proved to be difference between the two sides, and the Dutchman would go on to galvanise the side to win the FA Cup in May. Getty
  • Felipe Scolari, August 2008. Things began very well for the man who guided Brazil to the 2002 World Cup when he became Chelsea manager. Portsmouth were thrashed 4-0 at home, with Joe Cole, Anelka, Lampard and Deco all on target. But it would go wrong very quickly for the Brazilian and he was gone by the following February from the role. Getty
    Felipe Scolari, August 2008. Things began very well for the man who guided Brazil to the 2002 World Cup when he became Chelsea manager. Portsmouth were thrashed 4-0 at home, with Joe Cole, Anelka, Lampard and Deco all on target. But it would go wrong very quickly for the Brazilian and he was gone by the following February from the role. Getty
  • Avram Grant, September 2007. Took over after shock exit of Mourinho. As opening games go, Manchester United away under Sir Alex Ferguson, was as tough as they come and Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by United at Old Trafford. Getty
    Avram Grant, September 2007. Took over after shock exit of Mourinho. As opening games go, Manchester United away under Sir Alex Ferguson, was as tough as they come and Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by United at Old Trafford. Getty
  • Jose Mourinho, August 2004. Like Lampard, Mourinho's first Chelsea Premier League game was against United on the opening day of the 2004/05 season. Lampard will hope to follow in the footsteps of the man he played so many of his Chelsea games under, as the Blues prevailed 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen's early strike. Getty
    Jose Mourinho, August 2004. Like Lampard, Mourinho's first Chelsea Premier League game was against United on the opening day of the 2004/05 season. Lampard will hope to follow in the footsteps of the man he played so many of his Chelsea games under, as the Blues prevailed 1-0 at Stamford Bridge thanks to Eidur Gudjohnsen's early strike. Getty
  • Claudio Ranieri, September 2000. Another manager who started his reign with a match against Manchester United. This ended 3-3, with Chelsea coming from 3-1 down as Tore Andre Flo scored twice, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink having earlier scored. Getty
    Claudio Ranieri, September 2000. Another manager who started his reign with a match against Manchester United. This ended 3-3, with Chelsea coming from 3-1 down as Tore Andre Flo scored twice, with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink having earlier scored. Getty

Football

Frank Lampard aims to emulate Jose Mourinho against Man United: how Chelsea's past 13 managers have done in their first game

From Claudio Ranieri to Maurizio Sarri, how reigns at Stamford Bridge have begun

Graham Caygill

August 10, 2019

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Frank Lampard will stand on the touchline as a Chelsea manager in a Premier League game for the first time on Sunday when his side travels to Manchester United.

The former Chelsea midfielder took over in July after leaving Derby County. He has had an encouraging pre-season but the real work begins now.

First impressions can often matter and define a reign. Here is a look at how his predecessors at Stamford Bridge have fared.

Check out the gallery to see how the previous 13 men to have taken charge at Stamford Bridge, dating back to Claudio Ranieri in September 2000, got on in their opening game.

To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

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