Rangers head coach was sad to see Blues legend lose his job in west London, with Thomas Tuchel supposed to take over
Steven Gerrard says he’s ‘gutted’ for Frank Lampard after seeing him dismissed at Stamford Bridge, but admits his dismissal was ‘no surprise’ due to Chelsea’s turbulent ‘history’ with managers.
Chelsea made the decision to part ways with Lampard on Monday morning, ending his three-year contract halfway after the team’s recent disastrous run to the Premier League.
The 42-year-old has seen his side suffer five defeats in their last eight top-level appearances, with Les Bleus slipping 11 points behind leaders Manchester United in the process.
Goal reported that ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel would become the 13th-era manager Roman Abramovich after being selected to replace Lampard, who released a candid statement after his departure.
“I’m proud of the accomplishments we have made and I’m proud of the Academy players who made their way into the first team and performed well. They are the future of the club, ”he said.
“I am disappointed that I did not have time this season to take the club forward and take it to the next level.
“I wish the club and the team every success in the future.”
Gerrard, who played alongside Lampard for England between 2000 and 2014, expressed sympathy for his former teammate while insisting that Chelsea took the opportunity to back the plans of a club legend for long-term success at Bridge.
“Obviously I’m gutted for Frank, he’s a former team-mate of mine, someone I respect very much,” said the former Liverpool midfielder and current Rangers head coach.
“But knowing the guy, he’ll be back in no time. It will dust itself off and question itself. He will use this time to spend with his family. He obviously has a young family and one on the way.
“I am disappointed for him. I thought it was a very quick outing on the back of a positive result this weekend (3-1 win over Luton Town in the FA Cup on Sunday).
“But I don’t know the details. I don’t know how it went for him, I don’t know the relationships he had within the club.
“I thought it was an opportunity for Chelsea to really reach out and support him during this difficult time rather than doing what they did.
“But Chelsea has a story for it, so it was no surprise.”
