Thomas Tuchel is hopeful that he won’t suffer a backlash from the Chelsea fans following the club’s decision to sack Frank Lampard.
Lampard was dismissed from his position as manager earlier this week following a concerning run of form for the west London side, Chelsea dropping to ninth in the Premier League after winning just two of their previous eight league fixtures.
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The decision has been greeted with a mixed reaction given Lampard’s relative lack of time in the position and status as a club legend, the axed boss having become Chelsea’s greatest ever goalscorer during a glittering career as a player.
Tuchel was appointed as the 42-year-old’s replacement and oversaw his first fixture since taking charge as the Blues were held to a goalless draw by Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund manager is now hoping the club can move forward under his guidance and is hopeful the disappointment regarding Lampard’s sacking will not result in ill will from the clubs fanbase.
“I don’t know,” Tuchel told a press conference today. “I hope not because that would be hard on the team. The fans are so close and behind the team, it makes a big difference.
“I know it was a big disappointment for the fanbase that Frank was sacked and as I said before, I have the biggest respect. I was a huge fan of Frank as a player.
“The club made clear to me this is not my fault, I cannot change the situation for him. The decision was made and I was handed the opportunity.”
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