Thomas Tuchel has agreed to take over as Chelsea’s next boss after the brutal sacking of Frank Lampard.
Chelsea legend Lampard was fired just 18 months into the job but discovered the news as it leaked out before being officially told by the club.
Club owner Roman Abramovich has sacked 10 managers.
Tuchel will be his 15th manager during his 18-year reign and made a public statement for the first time in all of those changes, describing it as a “very difficult decision.”
That summed up the emotion behind Lampard’s dismissal, but the Chelsea hierarchy felt they needed to act even though it came less than 24 hours after they beat Luton Town in the FA Cup.
Abramovich said: “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 was seen as a gamble by Chelsea, but it paid off as he led them into the Champions League places in his first season and the club spent over £200 million in the summer to turn them into contenders.
But Chelsea were increasingly concerned about results and performances in the last month, which has seen them slip out of the title race and were in danger of missing out on the top four.
Lampard insisted last week he would fight to save his job but the players received a WhatsApp message on Monday morning telling them to report up later in the day, which raised the alarm bells.
Meanwhile, Chelsea had already lined up Tuchel, who has established his reputation with Paris Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Tuchel was appointed on the basis that he was immediately available.
Chelsea has a strong German connection in the dressing room with Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Antonio Rudiger and they wanted someone to bring the players together.
Chelsea want Tuchel in charge for Wednesday’s game with Wolves.
Tuchel will get COVID exemption for elite sport and his appointment is expected to be confirmed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Lampard can expect his contract to be paid up, but will be bitterly disappointed to be sacked – and with the way it happened.