Pep Guardiola's grant to Frank Lampard following his dismissal speaks volumes.
Pep Guardiola was quick to back Frank Lampard after he was fired as Chelsea manager two years ago, lamenting the cutthroat nature of the job.
Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, could end up spending a lot of money if he invited every manager fired by Chelsea out to dinner.
Following Frank Lampard's dismissal from the Stamford Bridge hot seat in January 2021, the Spaniard stated that he hoped to meet with him over dinner. Prior to his public invitation, Guardiola made a remark about how managers are treated, particularly in west London, that still rings true more than two years later.
"People talk about projects and ideas, but they don't exist - you have to win or you'll be fired," said the four-time Premier League champion. "I respect Chelsea's decision, but I hope to see Frank soon."
Guardiola's first remark takes on new significance in light of Graham Potter's dismissal on Sunday evening. In fact, since those remarks, Chelsea has hired Thomas Tuchel, fired the German, replaced him with Potter, and fired him again.
Tuchel had a Champions League to show for his efforts, whereas Potter leaves Stamford Bridge with his tail firmly between his legs after only seven months in charge, overseeing a dismal run of results.
Chelsea are currently 11th in the table, one point behind local rivals Fulham, who are a spot higher."
There are numerous records and statistics that paint Potter's tenure at the Bridge in a negative light, but perhaps the most damning is that the Blues currently have a goal difference of minus one.
Alternatively, they could have lost as many games as they have won (10 of each), but supporters of both Potter's appointment and the idea of him remaining in charge will point to Guardiola's remarks.
Upon his appointment, many saw Potter as a 'project manager,' the type of boss who would need a lot of time to implement his ideas and get the younger players on board.
That is why his arrival raised so many eyebrows in the first place, as it contradicted Chelsea's hire-and-fire culture, a similar approach to the one Guardiola alludes to.
On a broader scale, the City manager's sentiment is one that applies to every manager in the division, not just Potter.
This Premier League season is still less than two months old, but it has already seen the most managers fired in a single season, with 11 dismissed. Lampard was fired as manager of Everton earlier this year.
Potter was not the only manager fired last weekend, with Leicester also firing Brendan Rodgers.
What should worry Potter is the fact that jobs that allow him the kind of time he needs are scarce; he walked away from one in Brighton, and it's unclear how soon he'll find another.The outcome of Chelsea's nightmare remains to be seen. That is why his arrival raised so many eyebrows in the first place, as it contradicted Chelsea's hire-and-fire culture, a similar approach to the one Guardiola alludes to.
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