Chelsea sack Frank Lampard [update]

• Frank Lampard will be sacked by Chelsea today

• Players have been told not to come in for morning training

• Former PSG boss ‘Thomas Tuchel will take over’

Chelsea will sack manager Frank Lampard after dramatic slump in form. The Blues have lost five of their last eight Premier League games and sit in ninth.

The development is coming less than 24 hours after Chelsea beat Luton in the FA Cup fourth round.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s players have been told to stay away from training ground on Monday.

Reports in Germany say Thomas Tuchel is poised to take over from Lampard as soon as the sack is announced.

Chelsea confirmed the sack in a statement on its website on Monday.

The statement reads:

“Chelsea Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard.

“This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the Board have taken lightly.

“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.”

The club quoted the owner, Roman Abramovich, as saying:

“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.

“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.”

“The Club will be making no further comment until such time as a new Head Coach is appointed.”

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