Frank Lampard Odds-On To Leave Chelsea Before Season Ends

By Joe Short

Mar 14th, 2024 7:22 AM EDT

Frank Lampard has been appointed Chelsea manager on a three-year contract but bookies already believe he might not last the season at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard was announced as Chelsea’s latest manager on Thursday after prolonged talks with the Blues board.

Derby had agreed to let their boss discuss a move to Chelsea after a breakthrough first season in management for Lampard at the Championship club.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has ditched Maurizio Sarri after only one season in order to bring in the ex-England international.

Yet top sportsbooks are reporting a lack of confidence in Lampard keeping his new position.

Betfair have Lampard at 5/6 (-120) to lose his job at Chelsea before the end of 17 May, 2020 – the Blues’ final game of the Premier League season against Wolves.

He is the 6/1 (+600) joint-favourite to be the first Premier League manager sacked this season, sitting alongside Manchester United’s Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Lampard Knows The Expectations

Speaking in his first press conference as Blues boss, Lampard revealed he is aware that success must come fast at Stamford Bridge.

“I am aware of what a job of this size means,” he said. “Having been a manager for one year at Derby, I realise the pressure is much more on this side of the fence.

“I'm a realist. I understand what's wanted from me and I will try to deliver."

Lampard difficulties

Lampard will face immediate difficulties at Chelsea - not least because they sold their best player Eden Hazard to Real Madrid earlier this summer.

The new manager will not be able to sign players due to a two-window transfer ban imposed by FIFA on the Stamford Bridge club.

And Lampard is working under an owner whose average timeframe for sacking a manager is 437 days.

Yet despite Chelsea’s expected struggles, they are still odds-on at 8/11 (-137) to finish higher than Manchester United this season, with Solskjaer having odds stacked against him at Old Trafford this season.

Trophy won’t save Lampard

Sarri won the Europa League and delivered Champions League football for Chelsea last season, yet was still ostracized at the end of the campaign.

It will be interesting to see if Abramovich delivers the same ruthlessness to club legend Lampard if the new boss replicates that sort of success.

Chelsea are 4/1 (+400) to win a trophy at some stage in the 2019/20 campaign, which right now seems a long way off.

About the Author

Joe Short

More About Joe

Joe Short, a contributor to kobe.bookies.com, is a freelance journalist and former editor at the Daily Express, covering various sports, including soccer, darts and tennis.

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