THOMAS TUCHEL is being lined up to replace Frank Lampard as Chelsea manager after the Stamford Bridge legend was SACKED.
The club’s record scorer Lampard had been under pressure in recent weeks, and boss Roman Abramovich CONFIRMED the decision on Monday morning.
Follow all the latest below…
YOU’RE TOAST
Exclusive by Martin Lipton: Frank Lampard was summoned to a breakfast time sacking – after Roman Abramovich decided the former Blues midfielder’s reign could not be rescued.
Abramovich made the final call to sack Lampard – who will be replaced by German Thomas Tuchel – after seeing no real signs of improvement in the FA Cup win over Luton.
While the Chelsea owner was desperate to give Lampard time to turn his listing Blues ship away from the rocks, Abramovich reluctantly agreed that a change had to be made to prevent the entire season capsizing and took what was described as a very difficult decision.
SunSport can reveal that the final act of Lampard’s 18-month tenure came when he was summoned to Stamford Bridge for a 9am meeting with chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia and told he was being relieved of his command.
Lampard, who had been preparing to set off for the Cobham training ground when he received the call, knew what was coming when he arrived.
LONDON CALLING
Thomas Tuchel is reportedly set to be unveiled to Chelsea’s players today after their training session.
German outlet SportBild claim the former Paris Saint-Germain chief will then be on the bench for Wedesday’s game against Wolves.
Thomas Tuchel is already in London and will be officially presented today after the #fcchelsea training session. On Wednesday he will sit on the bench for the first time as head coach. @SPORTBILD @cfbayern
— Tobi Altschäffl (@altobelli13) January 25, 2021
NICK OF TIME
Ralf Rangnick was offered the Chelsea job on an interim basis until the end of the season following last week’s 2-0 defeat to Leicester City, according to reports.
According to The Athletic, major concerns were raised over Lampard’s future within the Chelsea hierarchy, following the 3-1 loss to Arsenal on Boxing Day.
And the defeat to Leicester last week proved to be the final straw, with a ‘furious’ Roman Abramovich deciding to begin the process of recruiting Lampard’s successor.
Determined to find a German speaker in order to get the best out of expensive summer recruits Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, Abramovich’s first port of call was the highly-rated Rangnick.
Despite being free, having left his position as head of sport at Red Bull last July, Rangnick turned the Blues down, however.
It’s claimed that he wasn’t happy with Chelsea’s proposal of a contract only running until the end of the season, despite the Blues’ plans to elevate him into a different role come the summer.
GET IN TUCH
Thomas Tuchel has agreed to take over from Frank Lampard as Chelsea boss – and will be in charge for Wednesday night’s game against Wolves, according to reports.
Sky Sports claim the German is on the brink of taking over from Frank Lampard, who was sacked earlier on Monday.
Sky’s Max Bielefeld has claimed the deal has been ‘agreed’ with the paperwork currently being drawn up.
The report states there were no other candidates for the job, despite Massimiliano Allegri and Julian Nagelsmann being linked.
FOX HUNT
Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has expressed his sympathy for Frank Lampard after he was sacked by Chelsea.
He said: “I’m really sad for Frank, I know how much the club means for him.
“Looking at the squad, and how young they are, it’s a team and squad that needs time, and unfortunately he hasn’t been given that time.
“I really really feel for him, he had the courage to step out of an amazing career as a player, he could have had an easier route, done a great job at Derby and he couldn’t really turn it down.
“He did a good job last season. results might not have been what he wanted as he is a winner. He needed time and sadly for him he hasn’t got that time.”
DOUBLE TROUBLE
SunSport’s Mark Fleming writes: “Frank Lampard did such a great job in his first year at Chelsea that his sudden sacking today has come as a shock.
“A shock, yes, but perhaps not a surprise.
“And nothing has been more symbolic of Lampard’s failure than his handling of his two star signings – Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.
“The two Germans arrived in the summer, Werner for £53m and Havertz for £70m, with so much promise.
“But both are now shadows of the men who took the Bundesliga by storm.”
Read more HERE.
MAGIC TUCH
The Athletic claim Chelsea’s manager-in-waiting Thomas Tuchel is expected to be announced tomorrow.
CAN’T TUCH THIS
Thomas Tuchel is the favourite to take over at Chelsea after Frank Lampard was given the boot this morning.
Here’s how the German’s version of the Blues could look…
MOUR GAME TIME
Billy Gilmour’s Chelsea future is now up in the air after Frank Lampard claimed he could leave the club on loan a day before he was sacked.
The Blues had intended to keep the loan option ‘open’ – and if he leaves, Gilmour will become the 32nd player the West Londoners have out on loan.
Ex-Chelsea boss Lamps had said: “At the moment, he won’t go on loan but we will keep it open until the end of the month.”
LAMPARD’S LAST EVER CAPTAIN
Mason Mount has revealed a picture of him in a Chelsea kit at the age of 6 after captaining the Blues for the first time at the weekend.
The 22-year-old became the youngest skipper for the club since John Terry when he led his side to a 3-1 victory over Luton Town in the fourth round of the FA Cup – Frank Lampard’s last game in charge.
SOFT TUCH
Chelsea have revealed that they will be making no further comment until such time as a new Head Coach is appointed.
Widespread reports this morning claim that the Blues are close to agreeing a deal with Thomas Tuchel.
The German has been without a club since he was dismissed from his job at Paris Saint-Germain.
RESULTS GAME
Chelsea have released a statement explaining their decision to sack Frank Lampard.
It read: “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.”
BRIDGE TOO FAR
Frank Lampard leaves Chelsea as their worst Premier League boss since Roman Abramovich bought the club, according to the statistics.
His points-per-game (PPG) record of 1.67 was just behind that of Andre Villas-Boas at the bottom of the pile before his dismissal as Blues boss on Monday.
STATEMENT FROM THE 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.
“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.”
LAMPARD SACKED
Chelsea have confirmed reports that Frank Lampard has left the club.
Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 25, 2021
MEDIA FRENZY
Chelsea players reportedly discovered reports that Frank Lampard was set to be sacked on social media before they were told.
The news about Frank Lampard’s sacking came out before Chelsea players found out.
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 25, 2021
TO BE FRANK
Frank Lampard reportedly would have quit Chelsea himself had he not had such a strong connection to the club.
The Athletic have listed the following factors as chief reasons why Lamps’ fairytale return to Stamford Bridge has broken down.
The dressing room felt manager showed no empathy and were hurt by his public criticism.
Lampard would have walked out had he been working for any club other than Chelsea.
Some players complained about lack of tactical instruction and not being spoken to for months.
WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE
Danny Drinkwater has been forced to deny that he was celebrating Frank Lampard’s imminent dismissal with an ill-time Instagram post.
The Chelsea midfielder took flak for sharing a picture of himself in jubilation after scoring a goal for Leicester.
TWITS
An ill-timed tweet from Chelsea has sent their fans into overdrive following reports that Frank Lampard is set to be sacked.
DAY-UM IT
Manchester United have received a blow in their pursuit of RB Leipzig ace Dayot Upamecano as Chelsea have reportedly contacted him about a transfer.
United were said to be front-runners to land the 22-year-old for £55million this month.
But they could now be pipped by the Blues to the post, according to German outlet Kicker.
TUCH AND GO
Frank Lampard is to be sacked by Chelsea and replaced by Thomas Tuchel, according to sensational reports.
The Blues boss has come under increasing pressure after a horror start to the Premier League season.
Sky Sports claim Thomas Tuchel is set to take over from Lampard with a deal ‘almost done’.
BREAKING NEWS
Frank Lampard is reportedly set be sacked by Chelsea.
The Telegraph claim confirmation could come as soon as today.
The report added that Chelsea players were told not to report to the training ground until this afternoon.
WERNING LIGHT
Frank Lampard told Chelsea forward Timo Werner to keep his head up after the German drew another blank in the FA Cup.
He told talkSPORT: “To keep his head up. It’s clear the goals haven’t been going in for him. We’ve been getting him in front of goal a lot but there are periods in your career and life where it doesn’t quite go for you and maybe the penalty is the pinnacle of that.
“Everything else he gave in the game. He was despondent at the end but I told him to keep his head up for those last few minutes because he showed a lot of intention, running in behind, getting in areas and giving a threat.
“Teams will be scared of Timo Werner when they are playing and he’s playing on your shoulder and wants to run in behind because we’ve seen him do it.
“That’s what has made him the player that we brought to the club.
“It’s my job to lift his head up, and his teammates to support him. We’ve all been there. I’ve missed plenty of penalties in my career and the important thing is to bounce back.”
DAN AND OUT
Danny Drinkwater could miss his debut in Turkish football on Monday after suffering a freak swimming pool injury.
The midfielder has joined Istanbul club Kasimpasa on loan from Chelsea until the end of the season.
In preparations for Monday afternoon’s home game with Sivasspor, he picked up the injury – believed to be a muscle problem – during an official club session at the pool.
It will be a blow for Drinkwater, 30, if he misses the game as he is hoping to prove a point after a rotten few years in English football.
MAGIC OF MALDINI
Fikayo Tomori has revealed how a conversation with legendary defender Paolo Maldini convinced him to join AC Milan.
Maldini, who is the technical director at the Italian side, played more than 900 times for the European giant before retiring and joining the backroom staff.
Tomori told the club’s website: “When I first got the call, I was a bit… I wouldn’t say confused, but I was surprised! I spoke to Paolo Maldini.
“The best defender to ever play football was talking to me and asking me to come, so from there I knew that this is where I wanted to come and play football and to learn from him as well. I’m very happy to be here now.
“Paolo Maldini, the best defender that ever played! When I was young and I was [playing as] a striker or a midfielder, Kaka was someone that I really enjoyed watching, [Clarence] Seedorf as well.
“To be able to put on the shirt that they wore is a huge honour and if I have half the success that they had, I’ll have a good time here.”
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