Club legend or not, you are always going to be judged on results. A famous statement in football which came to haunt Chelsea’s Frank Lampard who was shown the door on Monday.
After 18 months in charge of the Blues, owner Roman Abramovich decided a change had to happen at Stamford Bridge.
Tenth permanent manager in charge under Abramovich
Lampard who succeeded the unloved Maurizio Sarri was the 15th manager brought into the club in Abramovich’s 18-year reign. Ten of those have received their p45’s from the ruthless Russian.
Chelsea Legend Lampard who is the all-time clubs leading goal scorer with 211 goals and 11 major trophies won is a clear legend. But as we know there are no sentiments in football, no matter what your status is.
Appoint Lampard to keep the fans happy
Nobody doubted his ability to manage at a big club despite being a novice in the Manager experience league. It was a gamble by the Abramovich who normally appoints experienced managers. But this appointment was surely based on keeping the Blues fans happy.
Lampard came to the Bridge on the back of one season in charge of Derby County who missed out in the play-offs. He knew when he took the job the perils of managing at Chelsea.
Poor league form ends Lampard’s reign
After a poor run of five defeats in eight Premiership games he was unceremoniously sacked on Monday morning.
Lampard always had faith in exciting youngsters such as Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham as the club operated under a transfer embargo.
He took Chelsea to fourth place and the Champions League last season and inn his first season in charge lost to Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.
Given big money in to bring success
Once the transfer embargo ended in the summer, he was handed more than £200m to spend. Most of the signings he has bought in haven’t lived up to expectations.
The arrival of Timo Werner from Leipzeg was regarded as a coup, but so far, the German has lacked confidence in front of goal. England defender Ben Chilwell, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech were also added to the squad.
Lampard like all previous managers was always going to be given big money to bring success to the club. On that basis when Abramovich opens his wallet he will do so for Chelsea to remain a top four club and to win trophies.
Early season Blues were on top
With all the summer signing the pressure has been on the likeable Lampard from the off. Early on this season the club reached the lofty heights of top of the table. Lampard to his credit played down title winning talk stating it will take time to build a side to be a success.
In truth Lampard did not do a bad job at Chelsea, given time he would have got it right. However, as we all know in football you don’t get time. Instant success is what is required nowadays. Legend or no legend it is all about results.
There will surely be more takers for Lampard in the future. But for know though he will be just another Chelsea managerial sacking statistic by the ruthless Russian.