Frank Lampard breaks silence after brutal Chelsea sacking

Soccer Football - Champions League - Chelsea Press Conference - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - November 26, 2019 Chelsea manager Frank Lampard during the press conference [Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers]

Frank Lampard was sacked as Chelsea boss on Monday, January 25, with former Paris St Germain boss Thomas Tuchel set to take over at Stamford Bridge. 

Lampard, a Chelsea legend, took over from Italian Maurizio Sarri in July 2019 and guided the club to a top-four finish in his first season, while the club steered their way through a transfer ban.

Chelsea then went on a summer spending spree, acquiring top talent from all over Europe including bringing German duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, English left-back Ben Chilwell, Morrocan Hakim Ziyech, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Brazilian defender Thiago Silva on a free.

These players, however, failed to deliver, leaving languishing in ninth place in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Lampard, who felt disappointed after the sacking, had this to say:

Lampard's message on Facebook [Frank Lampard]

"It has been a huge privilege and an honour to manage Chelsea, a club that has been a big part of my life for so long.

"Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for the incredible support that I have received over the last 18 months I hope they know what that means to me. When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult lime for the football club.

"I am proud of the achievements that we made, and I am proud of the academy players that have made their step into the first team and performed so well. They are the future of the club. I am disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward and bring them to the next level.

"I want to thank Mr Abramovich, the board, the players, my coaching team and everyone at the club for their hard work and dedication, especially in these unprecedented and challenging times. I wish the team and the club every success for the future."

Chelsea thanked Lampard for his services on Monday, 25 January, noting the decline in impressive results over the past few months.

“This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the Board have taken lightly.

Chelsea's head coach Frank Lampard, left shakes hands with Liverpool's manager Jurgen Klopp after the end of the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, England, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. Liverpool won the game 5-3. (Phil Noble/Pool via AP)

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,” Chelsea said.

Club Owner Roman Abramovic described firing Lampard as a tough decision”, insisting they still share a good relationship with the former Blue man.
“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.”