The former manager of Chelsea football club Frank Lampard has reacted to his removal as the coach of the West London club, describing it as a disappointment.
In a statement released via League Manager’s Association, Frank Lampard believed that he could have taken Chelsea to the next level if he was given more time at the club.
Recall that Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard on Monday morning, January 25, hours after he led the club to defeat Championship side Luton 3-1 in the fourth round of the English FA Cup. The sack of the 42-year-old English tactician came after spending 18 months as the coach of the club.
Lampard used mostly the club’s football academy players to execute the 2019-2020 season and was able to help the club to finish 4th on the league table at the end of the season.
But he struggled with Chelsea in the 2020-2021 season after the club had spent over £200 million in signing 5 vibrant players – Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell, and Edouard Mendy.
Chelsea’s board grew impatient with him when he recorded 5 defeats in his last 8 Premier League games which pushed the club from the top of the table to the 9th spot with 29 points in 19 league games.
Despite the regressive growth in Chelsea’s Premier League campaign this season, Frank Lampard stressed that the 18 months he had to turn things around at the club was not enough for him to meet up with the high expectations the club’s board had after spending over £200 million during last summer transfer window.
“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”, Frank Lampard 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. I am disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward and bring it to the next level.
“I want to thank Mr. Abramovich, the board, 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.”
Below are reactions of Chelsea players to the sack of Frank Lampard:
Immediately after Frank Lampard was sacked, most players at Chelsea took to their various social media platforms to send him goodwill messages.
Some of them, especially the youngsters he used in executing the 2019-2020 season, appreciated him for believing in them and giving them the chance to actualize their dreams of playing for the club’s senior team.
Those who joined the club last summer through the influence of the English tactician were not left out, they took some time out to appreciate Lampard for bringing them to Chelsea.
