LONDON: Frank Lampard said on Wednesday that Chelsea have to create a long-term vision for the club if the Blues are to bounce back under new ownership.
Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have sacked two managers during a miserable first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will finish with a record low number of points in the Premier League era and in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1996.
Lampard was part of a hugely successful era for the club as a player despite the hire-and-fire culture under Roman Abramovich.
But the interim Chelsea boss believes more stability is needed with Mauricio Pochettino expected to be confirmed as the club’s new manager for next season.
In total 11 Premier League clubs have changed manager this season, with Chelsea, along with relegated Southampton and second-bottom Leeds, one of three to fire two coaches.
“You wonder how successful always it is to change those things,” said Lampard ahead of Thursday’s trip to Manchester United.
“It’s clear it’s become that kind of a job and a situation and there are many teams that are fighting with expectations that might not be exactly stable.
“We’re in a very reactionary world anyway. In years gone by the reaction to one, two, three defeats might have been different.
“Now we have this explosion very quickly and you just have to understand it when you’re doing this job.”
Chelsea have lost seven of Lampard’s nine games in charge since returning to the club in April and sit 12th in the table.
Lampard questions wisdom of Premier League sacking culture
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Lampard questions wisdom of Premier League sacking culture
- Chelsea will finish with a record low number of points in the Premier League era and in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1996
- "You wonder how successful always it is to change those things," said Lampard ahead of Thursday's trip to Manchester United
Rodgers’ Al-Qadsiah fall behind in title race as points dropped against Al-Fateh
- The Knights of the East move onto 44 points after 1-1 draw, six behind leaders Al-Hilal
- Julian Quiñones nets 18th goal of the season to move second in goal rankings
RIYADH: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli will breathe a sigh of relief after Al-Fateh held Al-Qadsiah to a 1-1 draw at the culmination of Matchday 21 in the Saudi Pro League. Al-Qadsiah now sit three points adrift of Al-Ahli, five behind Al-Nassr and six behind Al-Hilal.
Al-Fateh, who continue to rise up the table after a difficult start to the season, entered the encounter with a set of changes made by José Manuel Gomes. Looking to counter Brendan Rodgers’ 5-3-2, the visitors set up in a similar formation, with Sofiane Bendebka operating higher up the pitch to press Julian Weigl.
The match began at a frantic pace, with two goals arriving in quick succession. Al-Qadsiah’s right flank has continued to be a target for opposition sides, with the space behind Mohammed Abu Al-Shamat exposing Jehad Thekri to repeated one-on-one situations.
Naif Masoud dribbled his way into the box before releasing Wesley Delgado down his left. The Cape Verde international squared for Matías Vargas, who finished with precision past Koen Casteels in the eighth minute.
Shortly after, Al-Qadsiah made their way back into the game. While Abu Al-Shamat’s marauding runs can leave space for opposition wingers, his attacking contributions remain a vital part of Al-Qadsiah’s play. A through ball from a tight angle found Julian Quiñones, who finished to equalize and make his 14th goal contribution in 10 games.
Despite the quick response, Al-Qadsiah struggled to find a way back into the game. Fernando Pacheco stood firm in Al-Fateh’s goal, making four saves on the night, as the hosts fired 19 attempts across the 90 minutes.
A final attempt for Al-Qadsiah came in the closing moments of the game, when Nacho found space inside the box, only for Al-Fateh’s defense to close him down and deny a clear shot at goal.
Brendan Rodgers remains unbeaten since taking charge at Al-Qadsiah, as the Northern Irishman led Al-Qadsiah to eight victories and three draws in his 11 matches at the helm. They face NEOM next in a bid to revitalize their title charge.
Elsewhere, surprise package of the season Al-Taawoun continued a difficult run of form, dropping points in a 1-1 draw to Al-Khaleej. Meanwhile, Al-Kholood completed the double over Al-Shabab, with Abdulaziz Al-Aliwa once again proving decisive by scoring a 78th-minute winner in a 1-0 victory.
The Saudi Pro League takes its first five-day break since the league’s return from hiatus in December, with Matchday 22 getting underway on Thursday. As the title race tightens, Al-Ahli travel to Riyadh to face Al-Shabab, while Al-Hilal host Al-Ettifaq on Friday. Al-Nassr conclude the round on Saturday as they make their way to Al-Hasa to face Al-Fateh.
