Chelsea sack Frank Lampard: Thomas Tuchel frontrunner but club could look to Brendan Rodgers or Julian Nagelsmann
In what comes as an unsurprising piece of news, Chelsea legend and manager Frank Lampard is all set to be fired by the Premier League club after the side's FA Cup win over Luton Town. The Telegraph's Matt Law reckoned the confirmation could come early Monday after Chelsea players were told not to report to the training ground. The team is currently going through a slump as they have lost five of their last eight games and have fallen out of the top 4.
All eyes will be on Lampard's successor who can pull them out of the rut they are in. While Lampard's sacking news continues to do the rounds on social media, here's a quick look at the potential candidates who could find themselves at Stamford Bridge.
Julian Nagelsmann
Although it does appear that Nagelsmann might not leave RB Leipzig before the summer, his reputation has grown by the game. He has created an exciting style of play early into his managerial stint as Leipzig is now a high-pressing, all intensity-in side that's made the results go in their favor. The German became the youngest manager to reach the Champions League semis in the 2019-20 season. That he's worked with Timo Werner, whose stint under him saw a whopping 28 goals and eight assists, could also work in his favor.
Brendan Rodgers
The name that is currently doing the rounds. According to The Mirror, the former academy coach has impressed the folks at Stamford Bridge, and Rodgers has steered Leicester City to third place in the Premier League, while the Blues find themselves ninth. He previously worked with Chelsea as the youth manager in 2004, later being promoted to reserve manager in 2006.
John Terry
Terry is currently the assistant manager at Aston Villa. Like Lampard, he is another Chelsea legend and has been learning the ropes under Dean Smith's tutelage for a little more than two seasons now. Appointing Terry at this point could be a bit of a gamble as he has never been in charge of a professional football team.
Massimiliano Allegri
Allegri is a proven matchwinner. He has led Juventus to five Serie A titles. At the end of the 2019 season, he left Juventus having achieved everything he could. Considered to be in the same mold as Thomas Tuchel and if he is available, Chelsea will be keeping him on their radar.
Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel was relieved from his duties at Paris Saint-Germain at the end of December, meaning he is available if Chelsea zero-in on him. The German has plenty of experience at major clubs with a stint at Borussia Dortmund for two years before moving to Paris. Tuchel has won two league titles with PSG and led them to their first-ever Champions League final. However, his time also saw falling out with players in the squad, especially in the current season before his ouster.