Frank Lampard’s comments on Andre Villas Boas axe resonate hard after Chelsea sacking

Chelsea: Thomas Tuchel in profile

Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard on Monday morning bringing his 18-month spell at the club to an end. And comments the 42-year-old made as a player when Andre Villas-Boas was dismissed ring eerily similar.

Despite the 3-1 FA Cup win over Luton on Sunday, Lampard was hauled into the Stamford Bridge offices on Monday morning and axed as Blues boss.

Defeats to Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester City since Boxing Day, along with failing to get the best out of Chelsea’s expensive summer signings, sealed the 42-year-old’s fate.

The Blues recruited heavily in the summer, bringing in the likes of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy as well as Thiago Silva on a free transfer.

But despite the squad overhaul Chelsea find themselves ninth in the Premier League.

MUST READ: Chelsea owner Abramovich decides to sack Lampard due to two players

Despite his good relationship with Lampard, Roman Abramovich’s patience finally wore thin and a decision was made over the weekend.

The club’s record goalscorer walked into the job with little experience, having only managed Championship side Derby for one season prior to his arrival.

And comments he once made when Villas-Boas was axed as Blues boss in 2012 sound familiar.

DON’T MISS
Tuchel to Chelsea ‘almost a done deal’ as Blues set to sack Lampard
Chelsea to sack Frank Lampard and confirmation could come today
Chelsea owner Abramovich given ideal Lampard replacement plan

“The players had no part in his dismissal, he played his cards and they didn’t work, maybe he was too young and maybe the job was too soon for him,” said Lampard.

AVB was just 33 when he took over at Chelsea – and is only one year older than Lampard now. While both ages are considered young, there’s an argument to be made that both men walked into the Blues hotseat too early in their managerial careers.

Thomas Tuchel, who has managed Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain. will take over from Lampard.

Abramovich doesn’t tend to speak when Chelsea manager are relieved of their duties, but the Russian put a statement up on the club’s website to confirm the news.

“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 said.

“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.”

Source: Read Full Article