Lampard disappointed by timing of sacking
FOOTBALL
LONDON: Frank Lampard admitted his disappointment at not being given more time by Chelsea after the club sacked its record goalscorer as manager yesterday.
Club owner Roman Abramovich insisted the former midfielder’s status at the club was undiminished by the decision, which came after a run of five defeats in eight English Premier League games.
With Chelsea ninth on the table and 11 points off leader Manchester United after spending £220 million ($NZ418 million) in the summer, Abramovich brought Lampard’s time as manager to an end midway through a threeyear deal.
Former Paris SaintGermain manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to replace the 42yearold.
The 47yearold won backtoback league titles with PSG, but that was not enough to satisfy the club’s ambitious owners who replaced him with Mauricio Pochettino.
Lampard issued a statement via the League Managers Association in which he described managing the club as a ‘‘huge privilege and an honour’’, thanking the club’s fans who have largely remained staunchly behind him.
‘‘When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult time for the football added.
‘‘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.’’
During his playing career at Chelsea, Lampard won three league titles and the Champions League in 2012.
Chelsea will make ‘‘no further comment’’ until a new manager is appointed and it will have to act fast with Wolves set to visit tomorrow.
µHarry Winks and Tanguy Ndombele struck late goals as Tottenham Hotspur survived an
club,’’ Lampard
FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a 41 victory at Wycombe Wanderers yesterday.
Tottenham was stunned when Fred Onyedinma gave Wycombe, bottom of the secondtier Championship, the lead in the 25th minute and a shock was brewing on a freezing night at Adams Park as the visiting side was twice denied by the crossbar.
But Gareth Bale levelled with a clever finish just before the interval and Tottenham’s secondhalf dominance eventually wore down a resilient Wycombe side.
Winks curled in a shot after 86 minutes and Ndombele fired home a minute later before the Frenchman added his second in stoppage time to progress Tottenham to the next round, where it will visit Everton. — BPA/ Reuters