FRANK LAMPARD has been SACKED by Chelsea.
The Blues boss had come under increasing pressure after a horror start to the Premier League season, with Thomas Tuchel set to replace him.
Frank Lampard has been sacked by ChelseaCredit: AFP or licensors
Chelsea sit way down in ninth place at the midway point in the 2020-21 campaign, despite a £228.7million summer splurge.
And the shocking run has seen Lampard, 42, given the boot – with assistant manager Jody Morris also leaving the club.
Blues stars were ordered to NOT report for training on Monday morning.
They were instead told to arrive this afternoon, with Lampard and club bosses locked in talks.
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On Lampard’s sacking, a club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard.
“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.
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“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.
“The Club will be making no further comment until such time as a new Head Coach is appointed.”
Owner Roman Abramovich added: “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.”
Thomas Tuchel is set to take over from Lampard, according to Sky SportsCredit: PA:Press Association
Sky Sports claim Tuchel is set to be the man to take over from Lampard with a deal ‘almost done’.
The German is even set to be on the bench for Wednesday’s clash against Wolves with the ‘paperwork being sorted’.
Tuchel is fluent in English, loves the UK and will be fulfilling a lifelong dream of managing in the Premier League, according to Sky Sports’ Max Bielefeld.
The incoming boss is currently still in Germany, but will arrive in the next 48 hours subject to a coronavirus test, say reports.
Chelsea most-recently beat Championship side Luton 3-1 in the FA Cup less than 24 hours before the revelation.
Tammy Abraham scored a hat-trick to drag his side into the fifth-round of the competition.
But the club’s appalling Premier League form has seen the ex-Derby chief and Chelsea legend sacked.
The Blues lost their last league game 2-0 at Leicester on January 19.
Prior to that, Chelsea had edged a nervy win over West London rivals Fulham having been thumped by Manchester City before that.
In fact, the Stamford Bridge strugglers have lost FIVE of their last eight league games and now sit 11 points of league leaders Manchester United.
Frank Lampard had been in charge of Chelsea for just 18 monthsCredit: Reuters
Lampard led his side to just eight wins in 19 matches in the Premier League this term.
The former midfielder – Chelsea’s all-time leading Premier League scorer with 147 goals – signed a three-year contract after replacing Maurizio Sarri in the summer of 2019.
But now, just 18 months into his time at the club, has become the latest in a long line of bosses to be sacked.
Roman Abramovich has already paid £110million in compensation for sacked bosses since taking over in 2003.
Lampard overachieved in his debut season, leading the Blues to a Champions League spot after finishing fourth in 2019-20.
Julian Nagelsmann and Tuchel have both been linked with the Chelsea job.
Tuchel, sacked by Paris Saint-Germain in December, has even admitted he would be keen on the Stamford Bridge job.
Lampard and wife Christine are expecting their second child together thsi yearCredit: Instagram
Ex-Juventus chief Massimiliano Allegri has also been linked with the Chelsea role.
But reports appear to point to Tuchel taking the reins.
Earlier this month, Lampard’s wife and Loose Women star Christine revealed she was pregnant with their second child.
The couple are already proud parents to daughter Patricia, two, while Lampard has two other children – Luna, 14, and Isla, 13 – with ex Elen Rivas.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea flop Danny Drinkwater has been forced to deny celebrating Lampard’s exit on Instagram.
The now-Kasimpasa star had shared a picture of himself celebrating at his old club, Leicester, only to later say he uploaded it as he was ‘missing playing’ and had nothing to do with Lampard.
Frank Lampard comes out fighting with his job on the line to attack reporters criticising Chelsea
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
