Chelsea has sacked manager Frank Lampard, the Premier League club confirmed on Monday.

"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," read a statement released by the London side.

Lampard, 42, was appointed as Chelsea's manager in July 2019 on a three-year contract. The former Chelsea midfielder led the team to a fourth place in last season's Premier League.

Despite spending more than 200 million pounds for several big signings last summer, the Blues suffered a setback in the first half of this season's Premier League, only placed ninth after 19 games, 11 points behind leaders Manchester United. Lampard joined Chelsea after only a single season in management at Derby County in the English Championship. Derby also had the highest net expenditure in the league during that season, but he could not lead the club to promotion.

"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," Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was quoted by the club's statement. "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."

Chelsea only won one game in the past eight Premier League matches. They lost to Everton, Wolves, Arsenal, Manchester City and Leicester City in the span of five weeks.

Lampard guided the team into the FA Cup fifth round after beating Championship side Luton Town 3-1 on Sunday, but this victory could not save the former England international from being sacked. 

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