Until next time Frank

Dan McCarthy delivers his emotional verdict on the sacking of Frank Lampard.

A day that was inevitable, yet never quite ready for. Whilst I wish to be efficient and balanced here as I always try to be with my writing/reporting, I must admit that I have deliberated between writing a thousand words detailing raw emotion and frustration, yet also struggled to string a sentence together.

To summarise in the efficient manner I promised earlier, waking up at 7 am in Los Angeles to the news of Frank Lampard’s sacking was one of the lowest points in my time as a Chelsea fan thus far.

Hundreds of messages on all platforms from all walks of life and relevance to the situation filled my phone. Reaction to the news, questions that mainly read “Why?” and also significant updates from the happenings within the Cobham walls, which brought welcome clarification.

Whilst I was thankful to have very trusted relations provide transparency to the situation as I slept, it still never softened the blow.

Whilst I wish to only speak for myself when I say this, yet I would wager a lot of money that many Chelsea fans share this notion, the reality of the situation hurt and felt surreal further as the day went on.

If anything, the more I learned about the situation, the more it hurt. My concluding thought on it all, Frank Lampard was never fully backed to succeed at this job, this time around.

I’ll be honest, on reflection of the entire situation and my dealings of it in terms of reporting and sharing information on it, I learned I was perhaps a little naïve and biased with it all.

Myself and many other individuals around the club were made aware of the chatter in recent days around Lampard, and more significantly his replacement, yet I personally chose to diminish it and somewhat remain optimistic for Frank Lampard, despite fearing and being led to what was happening next, was sooner rather than later.

“Due diligence” were the words I chose to summarise Chelsea’s conversations with Tuchel and his representatives, yet we now know it was simply more than that; post Leicester, these were full-on negotiations.

Somebody recently reminded me of a tweet I posted back when Lampard was appointed, stating how I was somewhat “against” the appointment, as I felt it was too early for Frank.

However, it was Frank Lampard, a Chelsea legend, and as soon as he was appointed, I fully backed him, such as I did with all previous managers, something I pride myself on.

Now, I come back to that same tweet 18 months or so ago, with my heart hurting and no enjoyment of being “correct.” It was simply too early for Frank this soon in his pursuit of what will end up being a successful career as a top tier head coach.

We now know so much more, yet there is still so much more to come out on this. Now isn’t the time to speculate, win the “I told you so” battle, nor touch on some of the controversial topics surrounding Lampard’s dismissal, you know the reasons why player power stories and all.

The truth will certainly come out in due course, to all those who are ready to read it.

I’ve been confidently told by numerous sources that many of the distasteful things we read today of happenings within the club, unfortunately, were occurring in recent weeks. Again, for another time.

The time now is to back Thomas Tuchel, the incoming Head Coach chosen by Roman Abramovich as Lampard’s successor.

My immediate thoughts on it? Conveniently, as Frank Lampard famously said himself when speaking on his departure from his beloved club as a player all those years ago, “My life goes in one direction, Chelsea carries on.”

To carry on is to now back Thomas Tuchel. Does it feel short term? Absolutely. Nevertheless, what can we expect at this time, with the decision Roman Abramovich has made and the timing of it?

Emotions and personal preference aside, short-term fixes are the owner’s preference and have brought “success” to West London time and time again. My recommendation to those seeking the next step regarding Chelsea’s direction, whilst stuck in a daze of confusion, is to take the time to do your own homework on Tuchel and his methods, allowing you to make your own mind up, whilst supporting the club and its players unconditionally.

The expectations for Tuchel this season are clear; achieve top four in the Premier League, get as far as possible in the UEFA Champions League, and go one further and win the FA Cup.

Politics aside (Yes, I said it again) we owe our undivided support to Thomas Tuchel, as fans of Chelsea Football Club first and fans of all individuals, beliefs, and more playing second fiddle.

As even the biggest supporter of Frank Lampard through thick and thin, which is no secret at this point, I am first and foremost a fan of Chelsea Football Club, and that will never change, despite how many times I personally feel let down and hurt by the board and their decisions.

To come full circle, my final words are thank you, Frank.

Thank you for loving the club so deeply. Thank you for taking the risk of leading this club through such a turbulent time, knowing how it could and would likely end up.

Thank you for uniting the fan base for what was a short, yet magical time.

Thank you for your work with the academy boys - Chelsea’s future.

And finally, thank you for being one of us. I am confident this isn’t a goodbye with Frank Lampard and Chelsea Football Club, rather a “See you later.”

“We’re all together, and winning is our name, so cheer us on through the sun and rain, cos’ Chelsea, Chelsea is our name. Win or lose, up the Blues."

Written by Dan McCarthy - @MaccaSport