Ralf Rangnick claims Chelsea approached him to take over on a short-term basis

Ralf Rangnick has claimed he rejected the chance to take over at Chelsea on an interim basis after the sacking of Frank Lampard.

Rangnick, 62, is currently working with Red Bull as their head of sport and development – with his last managerial role came with RB Leipzig between 2018 and 2019.

His return to the dugout may have come at Stamford Bridge, however, but Chelsea were rebuffed due to his reluctance over taking on the job on a short-term basis.

Ralf Rangnick has claimed he had rejected the chance to replace Frank Lampard at Chelsea

‘I said: “I would like to come and work with you, but I can’t do it for four months. I’m not an interim coach”,’ Rangnick told The Times.

Lampard was dismissed last month with Chelsea in the midst of a horror run of form and former Borussia Dortmund and PSG coach Thomas Tuchel was soon appointed.

Rangnick, who has also managed Schalke and Hoffenheim, was reportedly included on the shortlist of potential successors to Lampard.

Lampard was axed in January and 62-year-old Rangnick was approached on a short-term basis

Chelsea have a track history of appointing stop-gap coaches after a change in the dugout – with Rafa Benitez and Guus Hiddink stepping in temporarily in the past.

The comments from Rangnick point towards the club having attempted to reach the end of the season before making a decision over their next permanent boss.

But Tuchel, who was axed by PSG in December, was handed an 18-month deal and tasked with keeping the west London outfit in the Champions League.

Despite turning down the approach, Rangnick has indicated he would be open to taking up another role in the Premier League.