Frank Lampard 'left Chelsea with a strained relationship with Petr Cech' as his former team-mate sided with boss Marina Granovskaia - and sacked manager 'didn't speak to owner Roman Abramovich ONCE' in his 18 months in charge
- Frank Lampard became the latest victim of Roman Abramovich's ruthlessness
- Lampard was sacked by Chelsea following a dismal run of form domestically
- He was swiftly replaced by experienced German manager Thomas Tuchel
- It is reported that Lampard left with a fractious relationship with Petr Cech
Frank Lampard's time as Chelsea manager came to a fractious end with it being reported that he left amid a soured relationship with former team-mate Petr Cech.
Lampard was sacked by Chelsea at the end of January following a dismal run of form domestically, but the decision to dismiss the club legend infuriated supporters who believed he needed much more time to turn things around.
And following his sacking, the Telegraph have reported that Lampard departed Stamford Bridge with a strained relationship with Cech, who remained loyal to the club's executive director Marina Granovskaia, in his role as technical and performance adviser.
Chelsea boss Frank Lampard was sacked by Roman Abramovich amid a dismal run of form
Lampard and Petr Cech's relationship at Chelsea soured prior to his sacking as manager
Cech and Lampard enjoyed huge success during their playing days at Stamford Bridge, winning three Premier League titles, one Champions League and four FA Cups together.
It has also been reported that the club's greatest ever midfielder had not spoken to ruthless owner Roman Abramovich once before his dismissal in 18 months in charge.
The report claims that Granovskaia - viewed as Abramovich's protegee - appointed Lampard as manager back in the summer of 2019 when options were scarce.
And last Monday, she was in the room when Lampard was sacked - with the former Blues star's points-per-game ratio well below what she viewed as acceptable.
Lampard and Granovskaia's relationship first became strained after the pair disagreed over the squad - with the former wanting a big overhaul of ageing stars.
Lampard and fellow Blues great Cech enjoyed an illustrious time together at Stamford Bridge
Lampard and Marina Granovskaia disagreed with a number of things at Chelsea
Lampard was hoping to part ways with experienced trio Marcos Alonso, Antonio Rudiger and Jorginho in the summer but Granovskaia rejected his wishes despite Arsenal's interest in the latter.
Furthermore, Lampard's wishes to bring in a new goalkeeper to end Kepa Arrizabalaga's nightmare at Stamford Bridge was opposed by Granovskaia, who felt he should've persevered with the club's record-signing.
Lampard was desperate to bring in a reliable No 1 and pushed for Jan Oblak to replace £72m Arrizabalaga.
However, Oblak was viewed as too expensive for the Blues and with Granovskaia eager to see Kepa develop in West London, they ended up reaching a compromise.
Lampard reportedly hadn't spoken to Abramovich once during his 18 months in charge
Cech and his former coach Christophe Lollichon put Edouard Mendy forward as a new replacement before the move turned into reality.
In fact, Granovskaia oversaw last summer's spending spree, with only Ben Chilwell, Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner his own choices.
Matters between Lampard and Granovskaia also deteriorated when the former continued to push to sign Declan Rice from West Ham in a big-money move.
But Chelsea bosses concluded that the reasons they let him leave in the first place in 2014 were still applicable now.
But while Lampard and Granovskaia struggled to see eye to eye, the surprise will be how his relationship with former Blues great Cech soured over time.
Most watched Sport videos
- Letslie Tebogo delivers savage remark after winning gold
- Olympian boxer makes 'controversial' gesture
- Team USA serenade A'ja Wilson as WNBA star celebrates 28th birthday
- Adorable footage of a tiny Simone Biles at junior competition
- IShowSpeed is challenged to a race by Polish Olympic sprinting star
- Awkward moment Anthony Ammirati gets his crotch stuck on crossbar
- Noah Lyles' Olympic rival speaks out after the 200m final
- Rebeca Andrade reacts to Simone Biles' bow to her after winning gold
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Day 12 highlights
- Lamecha Girma seen in hospital after nasty steeplechase fall
- Arteta happy with the chemistry building in his team
- Katarina Johnson-Thompson shares a glimpse of her training