Frank Lampard destined for the top, says Wigan Athletic boss

Lampard brings his Derby side to the DW Stadium hoping for three points to keep the Rams on the promotion trail.

And Cook likes what he sees so far as the former Chelsea and England star begins his managerial journey.

“Frank’s adapted to management so well and, similar to his playing days, he conducts himself with total class,” enthused Cook.

“They’ve managed to develop a style of play that is very good and, within that framework, they’ve got a lot of very good players, and a youthfulness about them which I like.

“And similar to Steven Gerrard, he looks as though he’ll go on to have a great career in management.

“We’ll definitely have our hands full, but it’s also an occasion we’ll relish.

“We’ve got a great record at the DW, they’ve got a great record on the road, it’s a lovely pitch and it should be a good game.”

Cook is particularly pleased to see young English managers getting their chance at a time when foreign bosses seem to be in vogue.

“It’s very difficult for young managers to get jobs these days,” added Cook.

“And I think, for Frank, Derby is a great place to start off and a great opportunity.

“They’re a club that seems to have been there or thereabouts the play-offs for a number of years. They’re obviously spent a lot of money – which is nothing to do with me by the way – and they’re going in the right direction.

“Frank’s on a learning curve now where he’s learning about management and learning about the league.

“Can they stay the pace? Of course they can, given the squad they’ve got.

“One of the biggest tests he’ll face is dealing with players who aren’t maybe as good as the players he was playing with during his career.

“That can be a test, but it’s about adapting to situations that are possibly foreign to you. In terms of a school report you’d say everything is going well so far.”