A shocking revelation emerges over Roman Abramovich and Frank Lampard’s relationship just weeks after the ex-Chelsea player was sacked.
The Russian chief appointed the club legend back in the summer of 2019 but the axe fell last month after a run of poor results leaving them 9th in the Premier League table.
This caused some anger with the fanbase with many feeling like it was harsh and that he deserved more time to turn the team around.
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Reports state that Lampard’s departure was the 14th managerial change of the Russian’s tenure – and among the cheapest as he was paid just £2million in compensation.
The last we saw of Lampard’s reign was when he was brought into Stamford Bridge for a 9am meeting with chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia who then relieved him of his duties.
It’s stated that owner Roman Abramovich did not speak a single word to Frank Lampard during his 18 months in charge of the Blues, according to reports.
The Telegraph claims Abramovich never personally spoke to him during his year and a half managing the club and it’s left some fans unhappy.
Instead, all of the communication came from his right hand woman Granovskaia, who effectively runs the club for Abramovich.
The report also adds that Lampard’s appointment was viewed by many at the club as a ‘convenient stopgap’ to keep the supporters happy during their transfer ban and the sale of star player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.
They have totally played the fans here and know it. But apparently Lampard had an idea that this was happening also.
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The Telegraph’s chief football writer Sam Wallace writes: “The early suspicions at the Cobham training ground among Lampard and others that he had always been a convenient stopgap at a difficult time were borne out.
“It is said that Chelsea is a political club but in reality those politics are very simple: Granovskaia tells everyone what to do and then they do it.
“The protégée of Roman Abramovich, who has spent her career running the oligarch’s businesses, appointed Lampard when alternatives were scarce.
“He has not spoken to Abramovich for the duration of his 18 months as manager.”
Wallace also confirmed SunSport’s story that Lampard’s relationship with Petr Cech, who was technical director at Chelsea, is strained.
Wallace writes: “In public, Lampard talked up the role of the man alongside whom, as a player, he enjoyed such success.
“In reality, Cech was on the other side of the divide and as a permanent club employee is loyal to Granovskaia.”
Roman Abramovich on the sacking :
“ This was a very difficult decision for the club because I have an excellent relationship with Lampard and the upmost respect for him as a man “
“ However, under the current circumstances we believe it’s the right time to change managers “ pic.twitter.com/MjqEQt6VIX
— Pys (@CFCPys) January 25, 2021
Roman Abramovich said on Lampard’s departure: “This was a very difficult decision for the Club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him.
“He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.
“On behalf of everyone at the Club, the Board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as Head Coach and wish him every success in the future. He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”
As the shocking revelation emerges over Abramovich and Lampard’s relationship, Joe Cole has criticised Chelsea’s decision to part ways with his former team-mate.
Cole appeared on the All To Play For podcast by bookmaker Coral and voiced his support for Lampard while criticising the club’s decision to sack him.
“The sacking of Frank is the harshest of all the Chelsea managers which have been dismissed,” revealed the 39-year-old.
“He has not had a bad spell in 18 months. I think it’s a mistake letting him go. Time will tell if I am right though.
“I was at Chelsea for seven years and that seems to be the culture of the club. They have gone through managers very quickly.
“Roman and his team will argue that since he took ownership, no club has won more trophies than Chelsea, and he is right there.”
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