QUITE FRANKLY TIME TO GO

BLUES CALL TIME ON FRANK

What a week indeed! Although it has flown by, it feels like a lot has transpired this week. Stamford Bridge seemed to be grabbing the spotlight with their 48hr managerial reshuffling. Frank Lampard who had been in the role for the past 18 months was sacked effective immediately on 25 January 2021 following a run of poor results.

Chelsea had only picked up two wind in 9 games and this was enough for the Club to severe ties and part ways. We all know that football is a results game especially at the elite clubs and if win rate is seldom then the outcome is inevitable. Yes he was moderately successful in his first season, guiding Chelsea to 4th in the league and an FA cup final which they lost to Arsenal. However, in football generally you are only as good as your last result.

The Chelsea legend spent big and that comes with high expectations. Expectations that unfortunately Lampard could not meet. Having spent in excess of £222 million bringing in fresh talent including the likes of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, Chelsea were among the favourites to win this season’s campaign and definitely enjoyed a moment of positivity prior to Christmas. I certainly had Chelsea down as being competitive this season but they’ve slightly gone of track recently and sometimes in football the manager will be held accountable (not even his legacy as a Chelsea legend could save him).

The question is why are people surprised by Chelsea’s actions? They are one of the leading pioneers in modern football when it comes to managerial sackings and reshuffles. History will dictate how ruthless owner Roman Abramovich is and was as a list of sacked managers under his tenure as Chelsea owner is utterly ridiculous. Names such as Conte, Ancelotti, Benitiz and Mourinho come to mind (and the list goes on…..trust me). These are some of the elite managers in European football and are winners in their own right but you have to respect Abramovich’s decision as owner.

Thomas Tuchel was appointed immediately after Lampard’s exited and was confirmed as the new Chelsea boss on 26 January 2021. He is certainly an experienced manager with a winning mentality having previously managed Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and more recently Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His successes at PSG are decorated with honours including Ligue 1 back to back titles in 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons respectively. He also guided the French club to the Champions League final in the 2019/20 season where they finished as runners up. He is the man task to get the best out of Chelsea’s under performing assembled stars but only time will reveal whether he is successful. However, one thing we do know is that Abramovich will be watching in the shadows.