Chelsea have sacked manager Frank Lampard following a poor run of form that has seen the London club disappear from the Premier League title race.
The London club spent nearly £300 million ($409m) on new players ahead of this season, but have failed to mount a serious title challenge after finishing fourth in Lampard's debut season in charge.
Owner Roman Abramovich took the unusual step of releasing a personal statement along with a club one, saying it was a "difficult decision" to release Lampard, whom he appointed in July 2019, but that he believed it was the best course if the West London club were to arrest their alarming slump.
"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," added Abramovich.
"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."
Lampard, who enjoyed a 13-year playing career at Chelsea, winning the Premier League three times as well as the Champions League and Europa League, led Chelsea to a top-four finish and the FA Cup final in his debut 2019/20 campaign in charge, but has failed to get the best out of a squad supplemented with expensive signings such as Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech this time around.
Despite Sunday's FA Cup win over Championship side Luton Town, Lampard's position has been the subject of intense speculation due to poor league form that has seen them lose five of their last eight league games.
The Blues are currently ninth in the table - having been top at one stage - 11 points off leaders Manchester City and five behind fourth-placed Liverpool.
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Chelsea 3, Luton Town 1
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Chelsea's Tammy Abraham, centre, celebrates scoring his side's third goal during their FA Cup fourth round victory over Luton Town at Stamford Bridge. PA -
Chelsea's Tammy Abraham after completing his hat-trick at Stamford Bridge. PA -
Tammy Abraham completes his hat-trick. Getty -
Luton's Jordan Clark, right, celebrates after scoring against Chelsea. EPA -
Chelsea's midfielder Christian Pulisic reacts after picking up a knock. AFP -
Luton Town's Tom Lockyer looks on as Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga makes a save. Reuters -
Luton defender Rhys Norrington-Davies tackles Chelsea's Emerson Palmieri. AFP -
Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea. EPA -
Kal Naismith of Luton Town under pressure from Emerson of Chelsea. Getty -
Chelsea keeper Kepa saves from Harry Cornick of Luton. Getty
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"This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the board have taken lightly," Chelsea said in a separate statement.
"We are grateful to Frank for what he has achieved in his time as head coach of the club. However, recent results and performances have not met the club’s expectations, leaving the club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement.
"There can never be a good time to part ways with a club legend such as Frank, but after lengthy deliberation and consideration it was decided a change is needed now to give the club time to improve performances and results this season."
Thomas Tuchel has emerged as favourite to replace Lampard, with reports suggesting the 47-year-old German's representatives are already in advanced talks with Abramovich.
Tuchel has previously managed Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain, guiding the French club to a first Champions League final last August before being sacked on Christmas Eve.
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The contenders
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Former Paris St Germain coach Thomas Tuchel is reported to be top of Chelsea's wanted list following Frank Lampard's dismissal on Monday. Tuchel was sacked by PSG in December after two-and-a-half seasons in charge, winning the league twice and reaching the 2020 Champions League final, which they lost to Bayern Munich. Before that the 47-year-old managed Borussia Dortmund for two seasons, winning the Germany Cup in 2017. Getty -
Max Allegri is one of the favourites for the Stamford Bridge job, while also interesting Roma in Italy. Without a club since he left Juventus in the summer of 2019, where he won five consecutive Serie A titles and twice reached the final of the Champions League. AFP -
German Ralf Rangnick is reported to be on the Chelsea shortlist. The former RB Leipzig boss was even approached for an interim role with the Blues, according to The Athletic. One of the most highly influential coaches in the game, a spell at Chelsea would be intriguing. AFP -
Carlo Ancelotti, the current Everton manager, is never short of interest for his services. He has won 20 trophies during his career and is one of only three managers to win the European Cup or Uefa Champions League three times, doing so twice with AC Milan and once with Real Madrid. Hs also had spells at Paris Saint-Germain and of course Chelsea, leading them to their first Premier League and FA Cup double in 2010. Everton will not want him to leave. Getty -
Rafael Benitez is back on the market after recently leaving Chinese Super League club Dalian Professional. Managed Chelsea on an interim basis from November 2012 to May 2013, winning the Europa League, so knows his way around Stamford Bridge. Also managed Liverpool and Newcastle in the Premier League, and Valencia, Inter Milan, Napoli and Real Madrid are among his other high-profile roles. AP -
Chelsea legend Didier Drogba would certainly excite the fans, but remains a real outsider for the post after the failed experiment with his former teammate Lampard. Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 appearances in his two spells at Chelsea, the club's fourth all-time highest scorer. Won four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups with the Blues - and scored the winning penalty when they won the Champions League final against Bayern in 2012. Getty
