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Chelsea’s contact with Mauricio Pochettino before Frank Lampard sacking
Chelsea have sacked Frank Lampard as manager after 19 months in charge.
Chelsea: Tuchel reportedly eyed as replacement for Lampard
Chelsea had contact with Mauricio Pochettino’s representatives before sacking Frank Lampard, according to reports. The 42-year-old has paid the price following a difficult start to the Premier League season. And Thomas Tuchel is now set to be appointed as his replacement.
Chelsea have won just two of their last eight matches across all competitions.
And that’s been deemed not good enough, with the Blues sacking Lampard as a result.
This was confirmed on Monday, with the west London giants saying in a statement: “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.”
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And the Independent say that, around a month ago, Chelsea had contact with Pochettino’s representatives.
However, it was made clear to the Blues that he wasn’t willing to wait around for his next job.
And Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham, ended up replacing Tuchel at Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
Chelsea were also supposedly rebuffed by Julian Nagelsmann and Ralf Rangnick and, now, the Tuchel era is set to commence.
The Blues are poised to make the German their next manager, with an official announcement expected before their match with Wolves on Wednesday.
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Chelsea lost the same fixture 2-1 at Molineux earlier in the campaign.
And whether they can do better on home turf, with Tuchel in charge of the side, is something only time will tell.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has wished Lampard well for the future, explaining his decision to wield the axe by saying: “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.”
Meanwhile, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker has slammed the Blues - describing the decision as ‘utterly ludicrous’.
“Reports that Frank Lampard will be sacked by @ChelseaFC today,” he said on Twitter.
“Utterly ludicrous after his first bad run.
“It was always going to need time given so many new signings feeling their way into a new club.
“Patience being a virtue is seldom recognised in this sport. They never learn.”