European assignments don't come much more daunting, especially when you've only been back in the job a few days.
But Frank Lampard takes his Chelsea side to the Bernabeu to play defending champions Real Madrid on Wednesday night encouraged by past events.
Chelsea managers who've come into the club mid-season - or on an interim basis like him - have masterminded a significant chunk of their European successes.
Certainly when Roman Abramovich was owner, the gamble of a sacking halfway through the campaign often had the desired effect and silverware swiftly followed.