Chelsea have confirmed Henk ten Cate as their new assistant first-team coach. The Dutchman arrives from Ajax, where he was head coach of the four-time European champions and will work alongside Steve Clarke and under newly appointed coach Avram Grant.
Ten Cate has reportedly sealed a three-year deal worth around £1.8million a season after Chelsea agreed a compensation deal with Ajax earlier this week.
Chelsea are still searching for a goalkeeping and fitness coach, together with a scout.
A statement on Chelsea's official website said: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Henk ten Cate has joined as assistant first-team coach and we would like to welcome him to the club."
Meanwhile, Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has provided the club's hierarchy with more food for thought as speculation over Frank Lampard's future at Stamford Bridge continues.
Lampard has resisted all attempts by Chelsea to sign a long-term extension to his current contract and following the shock departure of coach Jose Mourinho, rumours persist that the Barclays Premier League club are ready to cash in on the England international.
The 29-year-old has less than two years of his contract left and his value to Chelsea will diminish at a consistent rate while he remains indifferent to the club's desire to secure his services on a long-term basis.
Reports in Spain insist that Lampard is already available at around £18 million with Juventus, Real Madrid and AC Milan all in touch with the player's agent Steve Kutner.
The Blues know they cannot afford to let the situation drift on for much longer without a resolution one way or the other but Cole, on England duty with Lampard, made it clear they could not afford to allow him to move on.
Cole said: "Frank is invaluable, one of the best midfielders in the world and the benchmark for getting goals from a midfield position.
"England missed Frank and Chelsea missed Frank and it is great to have him back in the squad — he is another world-class player here.
"There are a lot of players in great form in England at the moment and that is good news because all the best teams have competition for places."
Lampard missed England's last two qualifiers with a thigh injury and he is likely to sit out the clash with Estonia at Wembley on Saturday because of the form of Gareth Barry.
Chelsea will risk the wrath of the fans for a second time if Lampard is allowed to leave but his close relationship with Mourinho may force their hand.
The club has managed to dispense with Mourinho and install Grant without too much dissent among the supporters. Now, with Ten Cate having joined, much of the spotlight will fall back on Lampard's situation.
