Chelsea have sacked manager Frank Lampard after 18 months in charge, with former Paris St-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel expected to replace him.
Lampard, 42, leaves with the club ninth in the Premier League after last week’s defeat at Leicester City, having won once in their past five league matches.
His final game was Sunday’s 3-1 FA Cup fourth-round win against Luton.
Lampard was appointed on a three-year contract when he replaced Maurizio Sarri at Stamford Bridge in July 2019.
In a statement released on Monday night, Lampard said he was “disappointed not to have had the time to take the club forward” and added that it had been a “huge privilege and an honour” to manage the club.
“When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult time for the football club,” he continued.
“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.”
Chelsea are hopeful that new manager Tuchel will be on the bench for Wednesday’s Premier League game against Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
He will not be exempt from coronavirus quarantine.
But if Tuchel tests negative on entry to the United Kingdom and then negative again in order to enter a Premier League club’s bubble, he will be granted an exemption by the Football Association for attending matches and training.
He will still have to serve a quarantine period outside of those environments, which will last five days.
