Abramovich: Why I sacked Lampard as Chelsea coach

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has defended Chelsea’s approach to hiring and firing managers, with their trophy haul speaking for itself.

Thomas Tuchel became the 15th boss under Abramovich, when he replaced club legend Frank Lampard back in January.

Unusually, the Russian directly addressed the decision shortly after Lampard’s departure, such is the former midfielder’s stature at Stamford Bridge.

But in a rare interview, Abramovich has said that the changes they make are all done with an eye on their long-term ambitions of the football club.

“I think we are pragmatic in our choices,” he told Forbes. “And we are comfortable making the right changes at the right time to ensure we can achieve our long-term ambitions.

“I hope it also says something about the clarity of the long-term ambition of the club. Those who join understand the objectives both on the pitch, as well as the wider positive role the club plays in the community.”

Chelsea have won 36 major trophies since Abramovich became the club’s owner in 2003, but he admitted that there was a hint of regret about his decision to get into the world of football.

“In hindsight, especially with the public profile it would bring me, maybe I would have thought differently about owning a club,” Abramovich joked. “But, at the time, I just saw this incredible game and that I wanted to be a part of that in one way or another.”

Despite that, he insists that his lofty ambitions and desire to succeed are as strong now as they were when he purchased the club.

He added: “The ambitions are as true now as they were when I first became owner and I hope that can be seen through the work we have been doing on and off the pitch over the last 17 years.

“I think the trophies speak for themselves and show what we as a club have been able to achieve over these year and it’s my goal for us to keep winning trophies going forward and build for the future.

“Chelsea has a very rich history, and I feel extremely fortunate to a play a part in that,” he added. “The club was here before me, and will be here after me, but my job is to ensure we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future. That’s why the success of our academy at Cobham is so important to me.”