Football: Chelsea sacks Frank Lampard as club's manager
Thursday, January 28, 2021
On Monday, English football club Chelsea announced the sacking of their manager Frank Lampard. This came amid a decline in form in the Premier League. The 42 year-old was first appointed as manager 18 months ago in July 2019, and had also previously played for the club for thirteen seasons. The club had only won two of their last eight matches and had sunk to ninth in the Premier League.
Chelsea stated "This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the board have taken lightly", adding "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."
Lampard stated he was "disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward and bring it to the next level". Chelsea owner 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".
Last summer, Lampard spent over £200 million on seven signings, including £71 million for Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen and £45 million on Ben Chilwell from Leicester City. The club has only won 29 points in the Premier League this season, eleven short of current table leaders, Manchester United.
Sources
- Alistair Magowan & Simon Stone. "Frank Lampard: Chelsea sack manager with Thomas Tuchel expected to replace him" — BBC Sport, January 25, 2021
- "Chelsea Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard" — Chelsea F.C., January 25, 2021
- "Frank Lampard sacked by Chelsea after 18 months; Thomas Tuchel set to take over" — Sky Sports, January 25, 2021
- Dan Quarrell. "Frank Lampard sacked as Chelsea manager: Reaction as Gary Lineker brands it 'utterly ludicrous'" — Eurosport, January 25, 2021