The answer to that question (in my opinion) is absolutely no.
We see it time and time again and especially at Chelsea in the last few years these top clubs are not giving their managers enough time. Frank Lampard is a club icon for the blues and the clubs all-time top goal scorer in competitive matches. I think he deserved a little longer than 18 months to build a team.
How can you go from being praised at the start of the season for both performances and results to being sacked and ruined after Christmas? Would that happen on civvy street? If someone started so well in their employment when they first joined then suddenly have a couple of awkward weeks, would they then be fired?
FACT: When super Frank Lampard got let go by Chelsea on Monday 25th Jan, he had only 1 less win in the Premier League than champions Liverpool.
Whether Chelsea finish higher or lower in the table with their new manager (Thomas Tuchel) is irrelevant. Modern day managers should have more than 18 months to shape the team. Did Roman Abramovich really expect Chelsea to win the league straight away… against the likes of Liverpool, Man City, Leicester, Spurs & Man Utd. If he did then he needs a sanity check.
One thing I do hold against Frank is when he first came on the scene after having a short but successful stint at Derby County in the Championship, I thought to myself…do not do it Frank! Or at least do not do it yet. Although he has an excellent natural football management style it still takes years to become a master. It was clear how and why he got the job at Chelsea, due to his superb playing career at the club.
There has been a huge reaction to this dumping. Majority of the fan base has left negative feedback and wanted to be patient with Lampard’s young and promising team. Surely it must be any day now the Chelsea fan riots begin and the “Get the chairman out” signs start to appear at Stamford Bridge (if only we had fans right now).
Chelsea may have created an impressive trophy cabinet since the early 2000s but by doing so have pumped millions into the squad each year and ruthlessly firing their managers every 15 months on average.
The fans are not entitled to be on this emotional rollercoaster, and it will affect the players development and form in the long run.
So, what’s next in line for Chelsea, we might be having the same conversation again in November!
As always, I’m all ears and keen to hear the fans point of view, please comment and share.
NUTMEG 