Frank Lampard has paid the ultimate price for Chelsea's poor run of form.
On Monday morning it was announced that the former midfielder had been sacked with a statement on the club's website revealing the decision was made due to recent results and performances not meeting expectations as well as no "clear path to sustained improvement."
It has also ended rather sourly for Lampard, although his return to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2019 was, in general, met with a positive response from fans, the media, and even former Chelsea players alike.
But there was one club legend who expressed his doubt over the decision.
At the time Chelsea legend Dennis Wise argued it was too soon for his former team-mate to take such a huge step and urged him to stay at Derby County.
"I'm surprised, if I'm being honest," Wise said to talkSPORT before Lampard was appointed. "He did a good job getting them [Derby] into the play-offs.
"But getting to the play-off final and not going up isn't good enough.
"In the last five seasons, they've been in the play-offs three times.
"It's something they’ve done before.
"I think it would be good if he stays there. The expectation at Derby is to try and get them into the play-offs and get them up.
"The expectation of Chelsea is to get into the Champions League and try to win trophies against the best teams.
"That’s a big jump from Derby to Chelsea if it happens."
And with Chelsea deciding to sack Lampard, Wise has been proven right in his prediction that the job came too early for the now former head coach.
