Breaking News Sports
Frank Lampard has been sacked by Chelsea following the Blues’ poor recent form and looks set to be replaced by Thomas Tuchel.
Tension had been mounting on Lampard after his side’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester City on Tuesday meant his team had won just two of their previous eight Premier League games.
He looked to have earned some rest with a 3-1 victory over Championship club Luton Town in the FA Cup fourth round at the weekend.
But it did not warrant enough to save him as Roman Abramovich and the Chelsea board decided to wield the axe.
A statement from the club read: “Chelsea Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard.
“This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the Board have taken lightly.
“We are grateful to Frank for what he has achieved in his time as Head Coach of the Club. However, recent results and performances have not met the Club’s expectations, leaving the Club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement.
“There can never be a good time to part ways with a club legend such as Frank, but after lengthy deliberation and consideration it was decided a change is needed now to give the Club time to improve performances and results this season.”
Owner Roman Abramovich continued: “This was a very difficult decision for the Club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him’.
“He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances, we believe it is best to change managers.
“On behalf of everyone at the Club, the Board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as Head Coach and wish him every success in the future. He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”
It seems almost sure that ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel will be taking Lampard’s place.
The 47-year-old German has been out of commission since being sacked by the French giants in December.
But his remarkable spell at the Ligue 1 outfit has not gone unrecognised, and it is assumed Chelsea are hoping having a German-speaker will bring the best out of summer signings Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, who have failed to impress in the Premier League so far.
The sacking of Lampard will no doubt be met with sadness by Chelsea supporters despite his recent woes.
