"I'm Disappointed" - Frank Lampard As Chelsea Sack Him

Former Chelsea FC head coach, Frank Lampard has said he is disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward.

Lampard expressed disappointment after the club terminated his contract on Monday, with former Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel set to take over at Stamford Bridge. He said:

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 time for the football club.

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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 it to the next level.

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

I wish the team and the club every success for the future.

Frank Lampard led Chelsea to a fourth-placed Premier League finish and the FA Cup final in his first season in charge.

However, he failed to match much greater expectations this season after the club spent a reported £220 million ($300 million) on new players in the summer transfer window.

A run of five defeats in their last eight Premier League matches has seen Chelsea slip to ninth, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United.

Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win against Championship side Luton was not enough to save the former England midfielder.

Lampard’s departure marks the 14th managerial change since Abramovich’s takeover, which transformed the London club into English and European heavyweights.

More: AFP