Chelsea dismissed Frank Lampard following 18 months in charge on Monday after the man at the heart of much of their greatest success as a player failed to deliver as coach despite spending over 200 million pounds (US$273.28 million) in the close season.
Former Paris St Germain manager Thomas Tuchel is the favourite to replace Lampard, British media reported.
The 42-year-old Lampard, who led the west London club to a top-four finish and the FA Cup final in his managerial debut 2019-20 campaign, leaves with Chelsea trailing ninth in the Premier League after a run of five defeats in eight 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
“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.”
Lampard, a former England 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.
He was hired in 2019 after a stint with second-tier Derby County and won praise last season, giving several youngsters a chance after inheriting a squad that could not be strengthened due to a FIFA-enforced transfer ban which was eventually lifted.
However, despite a massive outlay on new signings in the summer, Lampard’s second season tailed off badly after a positive start in which they went on a 17-game unbeaten run.
Lampard issued a statement later on Monday saying he was “disappointed” not to have been given more time.
“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,” he said.
“When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult time 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.”
