After failing to deliver as a coach, Chelsea has sacked it’s manager Frank Lampard. He was in charge of the team for 18 months.
The 42-year-old was hired in 2019 after his stint with Championship (second-tier) club Derby County. Lampard was praise last season for giving several youngsters a chance, after getting a team that could not be strengthened due to a FIFA-enforced transfer ban which was eventually lifted.
His dismissal was criticised by former England international Gary Lineker.
“Utterly ludicrous after his first bad run,” Lineker said on Twitter. “It was always going to need time given so many new signings feeling their way into a new club. Patience being a virtue is seldom recognised in this sport. They never learn.”
Lampard, who led the club to a top-four finish and the FA Cup final in his managerial debut 2019-20 campaign, leaves with Chelsea ninth in the Premier League after a run of five defeats in eight league games.
“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,” Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich said in a statement on the club’s website.
“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.”
was a former midfielder who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League and is the club’s record scorer, becomes the 12th Chelsea manager to be fired since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over in 2003.
Former Liverpool and England striker Michael Owen described the decision as “madness”.
“Absolutely staggering decision from Chelsea to sack Frank Lampard,” Owen said. “Where do you begin? Against the odds made top four last season and qualified impressively to the knockout stages of the Champions League this season.
“Bought some good players who will settle in given time. Madness. I’m convinced there’s been plenty of politics going on in the background for some time at Chelsea. Hardly a surprise as it’s always been that type of club.”
The former manager had sign in some of the game’s most sought-after emerging talents in the close season despite opposition, but most have struggled to make an impact.
Former Paris St Germain manager Thomas Tuchel is the favourite to replace Lampard, British media reported.
