Why the ‘Lamp’ on Lampard was put off
London, Wednesday
Frank Lampard has been sacked by Chelsea following a dismal slump in form that sees them sit ninth in the Premier League table.
The players were told not to come to the training ground until Monday afternoon as Lampard becomes the 10th manager sacked during the Roman Abramovich era.
Confirmation of his sacking came just before 11.30am on Monday after the club took decisive action following a torrid run of five losses in eight league games.
Abramovich, speaking publicly in a statement sacking a manager for the first time, described Lampard as a ‘man of great integrity’ in the statement confirming his dismissal but added: ‘Under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers’ with the club in mid-table.
Sunday’s win over Luton Town to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup hasn’t proved enough to save the former midfielder from the chop.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel is set to replace Lampard with a potential unveiling within 24 hours.
It will mean another pay-off for owner Abramovich with Lampard earning £4million a year. His contract ran until 2022.
The club statement confirming the sacking read: ‘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.’
Abramovich said: ‘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.-Dailymail
