English Champions League club Chelsea on Monday sacked their manager, Frank Lampard.

“Chelsea Football Club have today parted company with Head Coach Frank Lampard,” the club said in a statement.

It cited Chelsea’s poor performance in the Premier League as the reason for letting him go.

Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s Russian owner, said that it was “a very difficult decision” but they needed a change for the London club’s own good.

“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,” Abramovich said, and wished Lampard the best in the future.

This season Chelsea racked up 29 points in 19 weeks to come ninth in the Premier League, far behind league leader Manchester United with 40 points.

Chelsea appointed Lampard as the first team manager in 2019.

Lampard, 42, was a Chelsea legend, having played for the Blues in 2001-2014.

He scored 210 goals and 151 assists in 648 matches for Chelsea.

Lampard helped Chelsea win three Premier League titles (2005, 2006 and 2010).

He also helped it earn the 2012 UEFA Champions League and 2013 UEFA Europa League titles.

Separately, Lampard played for the English national team. He scored 29 goals in 106 international caps.