Mourinho, Guardiola, Gerrard sympathise with Lampard, sacked Chelsea manager ‘disappointed’

COACHING colleagues have rallied around Frank Lampard after he was fired as Chelsea manager.

The former England and Chelsea midfielder was sacked on Monday after a run of poor results left the Blues in ninth place in the Premier League table.

Lampard was in the post for just 18 months and he believed he deserved more time with his expensively assembled squad.

He wrote: “It has been a huge privilege and an honour to manage Chelsea, a club that has been a big part of my life for so long.

“Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for the incredible support that I have received over the last 18 months I hope they know what that means to me.

“When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult lime for the football club.

“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 them to the next level.

“I want to thank Mr Abramovich, the board, the players, my coaching team and everyone at the club for their hard work and dedication, especially in these unprecedented and challenging times.”

Lampard’s former colleague in England’s midfield Steven Gerrard, who is now thriving as manager of Rangers in Scotland, said he was gutted by the decision to sack his friend.

“I did think it was an opportunity for them to reach out and support him during this tough period of results, rather than do what they’ve done. But Chelsea have got history for that, so it’s no surprise,” Liverpool great Gerrard said.

Pep Guardiola is well aware of the win-or-bust nature of modern football, although he still has some sympathy for the sacked coach.

“People talk about projects and ideas, but they don’t exist – you have to win or you’ll be sacked,” the Manchester City manager said.

“I respect the decision by Chelsea, but hopefully I can see Frank soon, take him to a restaurant to see him again when lockdown is over.” 

Jose Mourinho, who won multiple trophies at Chelsea as manager while Lampard played under him, also recognises how brutal top level football can be. He himself was sacked twice by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Mourinho said: “It is the brutality of modern football but when you become a manager you know that sooner or later it is going to happen.”

Lampard finished fourth with Chelsea in the league and reached the FA Cup final in his first season despite having to deal with a transfer ban.

But the side have struggled this term even after they brought in six new players at a cost of over £200m.

Abramovich has never hesitated to fire underperforming managers, with big names like Mourinho, Claudio Ranieri, Luis Felipe Scolari and Carlo Ancelotti among those he has sacked since buying the club in 2003.