Chelsea's English head coach Frank Lampard (C) celebrates at the end of the game during the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Leeds United at Stamford Bridge in London on December 5, 2020. - Chelsea won the game 3-1. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
The former England England international, who is still Chelsea’s all-time top goalscorer, was eased out by owner Roman Abramovich following a string of poor results which left the Stamford Bridge club 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders, Manchester United. Chelsea topped the table earlier this season, but a poor run of form saw them slip to ninth in the Premier League – and resulted in Lampard’s departure.
Abramovich issued a rare statement upon Lampard’s exit, saying he has “an excellent personal relationship” with his former manager and said he “will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”
Lampard took to Instagram on Monday evening to break his silence.“It has been a huge privilege and an honour to manage Chelsea, a club that has been a huge part of my life for so long,” Lampard wrote. “Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for the incredible support that I have received for the last 18 months. I hope they know what that means to me.”
When Lampard was appointed, Chelsea was the subject of a transfer ban and had seen Eden Hazard depart.
“When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult time for the football club,” he 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 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 club and the team every success in the future.”
Chelsea are set to act quickly to replace Lampard, with former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel poised to take the reins.
Story by Sammy Wejinya
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