Will Frank Lampard be sacked before the end of the season? Interim Chelsea boss begins with five losses
Chelsea have held extensive talks with Mauricio Pochettino and reports suggest that the former Spurs boss could be announced next week.
Frank Lampard’s return to Chelsea was only ever intended to be a temporary situation at the end of a tumultuous season.
But after losing all five of his first five games back at the club, the Chelsea interim boss is already under pressure. The Blues suffered their most damaging defeat to date of Lampard’s second spell in charge as they lost 2-0 to Brentford at Stamford Bridge.
That defeat to Chelsea’s west London rivals was a real embarrassment for the club who have outspent everyone in Europe this season.
Could Lampard be sacked?
The full time whistle was greeted with a chorus of boos on Wednesday as Chelsea fans made their feelings known. Lampard’s position as a club legend is not in doubt but his role as interim coach could be called into question if they cannot arrest the slide.
Putting Lampard’s position under pressure is the recent departure of Christian Stellini, called in to do a similar short-term job at Tottenham Hotspur. Stellini was put in charge of Spurs on a caretaker basis last month but after just four games, culminating in a 6-1 defeat at Newcastle United, he was removed.
Chelsea have six games remaining so it is unlikely that Lampard will be relieved of his duties before the season’s end. But the Blues’ board will be desperate to see some improvement in the games to come.
Will Mauricio Pochettino be the next Chelsea manager?
Reports in England suggest that Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal to make former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino their next permanent manager.
Sky Sports reports that talks have progressed between Pochettino and Chelsea in recent days and a deal could be announced as soon as next week. However he is not expected to take over first team responsibilities before the summer.
The Argentine has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer but he is thought to be reluctant to take the job before the end of the season.
At the moment it looks like Lampard will remain in place for the remainder of the campaign, mainly due to a lack of viable alternatives.