Chelsea have officially fired legend and coach, Frank Lampard from the club according to reports. The club are ninth in the Premier League despite a summer spend of over $300 million.
Frank Lampard has been sacked by Chelsea less than 24 hours after the club’s FA Cup victory over Luton Town, with Thomas Tuchel primed to replace him.
Confirmation from the club came today, after Chelsea’s players were told not to report to the training ground until Monday afternoon.
A text went around the entire first-team squad on Monday morning to inform them that training was delayed, as Chelsea prepared a statement.
Lampard was called in to meet with Chelsea board members to be informed of the news, 18 months into the three-year contract he signed as Chelsea head coach.
It is understood that former Paris Saint-Germain manager Tuchel will replace Lampard.
Lampard had hoped to be given time to turn around Chelsea’s poor Premier League form and the FA Cup success over Luton looked to be a step in the right direction.
But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich decided to act in a bid to save Chelsea’s hopes of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
Tuchel’s arrival is clearly aimed at trying to bring the best out of two of Chelsea’s big summer signings – his German compatriots Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
Werner missed a penalty in the win over Luton, despite performing better, while Havertz made a late appearance as a substitute.
Tuchel’s appointment will also be seen as somewhat of a risk, given Chelsea were warned off him during Antonio Conte’s reign because of his fall-outs with his former employers.
Lampard’s departure could split opinion among Chelsea fans, particularly those who still idolise him from the former midfielder’s playing days, when he became the club’s all-time record goalscorer.
Chelsea thank Lampard but make ‘difficult’ decision
“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.Roman 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.“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.”The Club will be making no further comment until such time as a new Head Coach is appointed”
What do we know about Thomas Tuchel?
The German has plenty of experience at big clubs, having managed at Borussia Dortmund for two years before moving to Paris.
Tuchel won two league titles with PSG and led them to their first ever Champions League final. However, his spell in charge was full of falling out with players and disharmony in the squad, particularly in the current season before his dismissal.
There were thoughts that Chelsea could be put off by his management style due to Tuchel’s reputation as being difficult to work with. His inability to manage the big personalities at PSG, of which there are many, could have counted against him.
However, it feels as if Tuchel would be a safe appointment on the pitch. He is a competent and experienced manager, used to dealing with high expectations.