They’ve been happily loved-up for more than a decade, tying the knot and welcoming two kids together. But insiders say there’s some tension between Christine and Frank Lampard over the possibility of former footballer Frank becoming the new England manager.
With Gareth Southgate’s departure last month leaving the job wide open, Frank, 46, has been backed by the bookies to take over as England manager – but these rumours are said to have conjured up conflicting emotions in Christine, 45.
An insider tells Closer, “The odds of Frank being named England manager have shortened in recent weeks and he is among the favourites to take on the role. If he was given such an amazing opportunity, he wouldn’t be able to turn it down.
“Christine will support him no matter what, but she worries about how much their life would change if he did get the job. She would need Frank to be sure that this is what he really wants to do. She knows how much he misses managing and wants to get back to it, but she is hoping it will be for another club right now, something that carries less pressure.”
It’s been nearly 15 years since Frank and Christine first began dating after meeting at the Pride of Britain Awards, with the couple getting married in 2015 and going on to welcome Patricia, five, and Freddie, three, together.
While presenter Christine – who rose to fame co-hosting The One Show alongside Adrian Chiles – is a panellist on Loose Women and stands in on Lorraine when host Lorraine Kelly is away, former Chelsea midfielder Frank has been working as a football manager and commentator since retiring from his playing days in 2017.
Christine has previously opened up about how supportive they are of each other’s careers, saying in a 2021 interview, “If I wanted to work, work, work, Frank would back me all the way. I love my life now. It’s not completely perfect – no one’s is – but it makes me happy.”
Christine – who is also stepmum to Luna, 18, and Isla, 16, Frank’s children from his previous relationship with model Elen Rivas – and Frank also keep their personal affairs extremely private, rarely posting anything about their family life on social media and keeping their children’s faces hidden.
And sources say Christine worries about the increased media attention, should Frank take the job, saying, “At the moment she can go about her day-to-day life without much scrutiny and her and the kids are left well alone. But that would all change and she’s not sure how they’d handle that pressure.
“If he did get offered the job, there would need to be a big discussion. But she knows how much of an honour it would be for him, and of course will do everything to support him, as he has her. They are a really strong couple and will support each other through anything – it’s just a matter of compromise.”