The Roman empire
“Then. Now. Forever.” Those were the words on a flag unfurled at the famous Shed End of Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge on January 24, ahead of the Blues playing lowly Luton Town in the FA Cup.
Despite an absence of fans in English football grounds as the UK tries to play catchup in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, the message was clear: Chelsea Chelsea’s s fans were in support of embattled manager Frank Lampard.
Perhaps it worked. His team won 3-1 with their academy graduate turned England international Tammy Abraham netting a hat trick. But even if it worked it did not matter.
On Monday, Lampard was sacked, after 18 months in charge of the club where he spent 13 years as a player.
The worst kept secret in English football was confirmed in a club statement.
“This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the Board have taken lightly,” it began.
“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.”
Chelsea were ninth in the English Premier League table when Lampard was handed his P45, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United.
The former England midfielder may have cast an admiring glance up the table to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has just celebrated two years in charge but has spent much of them under pressure, not least when Lampard’s Chelsea beat them in the semifinal of last season’s FA Cup.
‘Understood the challenges’
Once the dust had settled, Lampard offered his take on his abrupt departure, offering much of the same class for which he was known as a player.
“It has been a huge privilege and an honor to manage Chelsea, a club that has been a big part of my life for so long,” the former Chelsea boss wrote after his sacking in an Instagram post.
“Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for the incredible support that I have received over the last 18 months.
“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.”
The love-in from the player who scored 147 goals for Chelsea was matched by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
“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,” the Russian was quoted in the club 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.
“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.”
Given Abramovich’s rare public proclamation there is surely a chance that he may even be welcomed back as manager at some point in the future.
That is what happened with Jo Jose Mourinho – Lampard’s own Chel Chelsea boss for four years as a player – w who enjoyed two stints at Stamford Bridge, although not in the truest sense of the word at the end of hi his second period in the role.
Trophies and revolving door
One constant during the AbramovAbram ich era has been trophies – Chels Chelsea have won 18 trophies since the Russian took his rubles toWest to West London – and the other is that the club has had a revolving door w when it comes to m managers.
Tho Thomas Tuchel, the ne new man at t the door, will no doubt fifififin find that out in time time. If there is one thin thing that has typified his own career – to the poin point where it is the introductory line of his Wikipedia entry – is that he has fallen out with his employers.
It happened at Borussia Dortmund and it happened more recently at Paris Saint-Germain, who he had taken to the UEFA Champions League final last season – within touching distance of the holy grail that the Qatari owners have so long lusted after. Abramovich is no less demanding. Lampard, club legend that he was as a player, has the worst English Premier League points per game record of those who came before him.
Over 57 games he averaged 1.67 points, bottom of a 12-man list topped by Avram Grant (2.31 in 32 games), Jose Mourinho (2.19 in 212 games), Antonio Conte (2.14 in 76 games), Carlo Ancelotti (2.07 in 76 games), Rafael Benitez (1.96 in 26 games), Luiz Felipe Scolari (1.96 in 25 games), Guus Hiddink (1.94 in 34 games), Maurizio Sarri (1.89 in 38 games), Roberto di Matteo (1.83 in 23 games) and Claudio Ranieri (1.82 in 146 games).
They won a remarkable five English Premier League titles, five English FA Cups, three League Cups, a UEFA Champions League and two UEFA Europa Leagues between them.
The good news for Lampard – and for Tuchel – is that some have also gone on to win elsewhere.