Well, that did not last long.
Just when Chelsea fans thought having a new owner in Todd Boehly would mean a period of stability, it has become a case of “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”.
The American, who took over the London club at the start of the season after Roman Abramovich was forced to sell – due to the war between Russia and Ukraine – has now sacked two managers and Chelsea still has nine English Premier League matches left, and at least two more in the Champions League.
During Abramovich’s reign, the Russian had 14 full-time managers from 2003 to 2022.
Boehly is now with his fourth manager of the season – Bruno Saltor was in the dugout for the match against Liverpool in midweek – and has taken a step back by appointing Frank Lampard on an interim basis.
Lampard is a Chelsea legend, having won the lot as a player, but his first spell as manager lasted from July 2019 to January 2021.
Thomas Tuchel, survived just over a season, only to be replaced by Graham Potter, who lasted seven months.
Tuchel is now back home in Germany, in charge of Bayern Munich. If all goes to plan, he could face his old club in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Bayern plays Manchester City while Chelsea meets Real Madrid. The other quarterfinals are between Benfica and Inter Milan, and AC Milan and Napoli.
However, Chelsea’s domestic form resulted in Potter and Tuchel getting the boot.
It is 11th in the table with a mere 39 points from 29 games and may not qualify for European football next season if its form does not pick up – unless it goes on to win this season’s Champions League.
The Blues won the Champions League twice – 2012 and 2021 – and spent nearly £600 million on 14 players in two transfer windows since Boehly came into the picture.
The club certainly has the players to go on a winning run at home and in Europe, but it remains to be seen if Lampard is the man to make it happen.
He has a good start this weekend as Chelsea travels to a stuttering Wolves tomorrow (10pm).
Wolves has collected only four points from its last five matches, while Chelsea has eight but has not won in three.
Elsewhere, league leader Arsenal travels to Anfield to face a woeful Liverpool on Sunday (11.30pm).
The Gunners’ eight-point lead over Manchester City could be reduced to five as the Citizens are in action against free-falling Southampton on Sunday (12.30am).
Liverpool has only one point from its last three matches but is formidable at home.
Arsenal must be at its best to collect the three points.
FIXTURES (Malaysian time)
SATURDAY
Manchester United vs Everton (7.30pm)
Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest (10pm)
Brentford vs Newcastle (10pm)
Fulham vs West Ham (10pm)
Wolves vs Chelsea (10pm)
Tottenham vs Brighton (10pm)
Leicester vs Bournemouth (10pm)
SUNDAY
Southampton vs Manchester City (12.30am)
Leeds vs Crystal Palace (9pm)
Liverpool vs Arsenal (11.30pm)
