Insider Simon Phillips asserted that Chelsea might decide to fire interim manager Frank Lampard this week and hire a permanent replacement.
What has changed recently regarding Chelsea and Frank Lampard?
Everything that has happened in the miserable Blues season thus far seems to be building to this crucial Champions League game night at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea is in fact still in the game as they attempt to close that gap in front of their own supporters at Stamford Bridge tonight, despite having lost the first leg 2-0 in Spain.
Even though Lampard has lost each of his first three matches in charge, everything will be forgotten if he can inspire the Blues to a spectacular European victory over Madrid.
But there’s a major if there, no doubt. It appears that Todd Boehly and company are ready to let the 44-year-old go at this point.
If Lampard left before the end of the week, according to Phillips’ article for GiveMeSport, he wouldn’t be surprised.
Lampard is anticipated to remain in charge through the end of the current campaign, but if Chelsea chooses their new manager this week, it wouldn’t surprise him if they decided to oust him at any time.
“Everything is moving quickly towards the new manager search and the plans that are being made; at the very least, a pre-contract agreement for a new manager to start this summer could be made soon.”
Who might succeed Jose Mourinho as manager of Chelsea?
It appears that the Blues’ search for a permanent manager is getting more serious. In the same piece, Phillips did in fact mention that Luis Enrique would likely receive the same treatment soon enough and that Julian Nagelsmann will be spoken to in London this coming week.
If Chelsea can’t defeat Real Madrid, their season is all but gone and they will likely finish in the middle of the pack in the Premier League.
Given that, it could be a good idea to part ways with Lampard and try to replace him as soon as feasible. As a result, Nagelsmann or Luis Enrique would have seven league games to get to know the team without being under too much immediate pressure to perform well.
In light of everything, if tonight’s match at Stamford Bridge goes poorly, Lampard’s second stint as the club’s coach may finish earlier than anticipated.