- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
The English soccer world has reacted to Chelsea’s sacking of manager Frank Lampard, with many shocked by the decision and others saying it’s just part of the business.
Lampard was let go by the Premier League club on Monday after 18 months at the helm, having lost five of the past eight games.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich said it was a “very difficult decision” but one that was best for the club.
“I have the utmost respect for him. He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics,” Abramovich said.
“However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.”
But former England striker Michael Owen slammed the decision as “absolutely staggering”, saying the new players should have been given time to settle in.
Fellow former England player Gary Lineker said it was “utterly ludicrous after his first bad run”.
“Patience being a virtue is seldom recognised in this sport. They never learn,” he said on Twitter when commenting on reports of the sacking.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson was saddened by the decision.
“It saddens me. I thought he did an excellent job last season,” Hodgson said.
“I was rather hoping that the idol of the fans and Chelsea legend that he is, he’d get a longer shot than 18 months.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said in the Premier League you just have to win or you’ll be replaced.
“People talk about projects and ideas. They don’t exist. You have to win or you will be replaced,” he said on Monday.
“I am not judging Chelsea’s decision. I respect their decision. But our world is to win as much as possible.”
Former England defender Gary Neville said Chelsea had high expectations that had to be met by Lampard after spending big in the off-season.
“I think the minute that the club spent the money that they did in the summer, and brought the players in that they brought in, it was always going to bring a lot more expectation and we know what happens at Chelsea with expectation,” he told Sky Sports.
© AAP
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.