Chelsea have sacked manager, Frank Lampard after 18 months in charge at the West London club.
The Blues legend was shown the exit door after losing five in eight Premier League games.
The poor run of form confined Chelsea to ninth on the league table, 11 points adrift of table-topping Manchester United after 19 games.
According to Goal, Lampard’s ouster came to public knowledge a few days after a verbal agreement was reached on his departure.
A club statement read, “Chelsea Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard.
“This has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and the Board have taken lightly.
“We are grateful to Frank for what he has achieved in his time as Head Coach of the Club. However, recent results and performances have not met the Club’s expectations, leaving the Club mid-table without any clear path to sustained improvement.
“There can never be a good time to part ways with a club legend such as Frank, but after lengthy deliberation and consideration it was decided a change is needed now to give the Club time to improve performances and results this season.”
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Club owner, Roman Abramovich said, “This was a very difficult decision for the Club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him.
“He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics. However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.
“On behalf of everyone at the Club, the Board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as Head Coach and wish him every success in the future. He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished. He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”
The club said it would be making no further comment until a new head coach is appointed.
The 42-year-old is expected to be replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who was sacked by French champions Paris Saint-Germain in December after falling out with the club’s hierarchy.
Lampard’s sacking came few days after a laboured 3-1 victory over Luton Town in the FA Cup, although the club’s recent league form had raised fears of his almost inescapable departure.
He had finished in the top-four spot last season despite a dearth of quality players in the squad as a result of the club’s transfer ban.
However, the club’s hierarchy appeared discontented with the team’s disappointing ninth-place EPL standing after expending £220 million on new signings.