Frank Lampard's appointment as Chelsea head coach was confirmed on Thursday after weeks of speculation.
However it seems that talk of Lampard's move started much longer ago than that.
The former midfielder was appointed as Derby manager last summer - his first role in club management.
With a profile such as his, Lampard was always destined to lead at the highest level and Mel Morris admitted as much in an interview following his departure.
Speaking to Derbyshire Live , the Rams chairman spoke about the departure of the 41-year-old and said that he hopes fans will understand his reasons for leaving.
Morris said: "When Frank and I first met we discussed this very eventuality - and the job that we spoke about when we first met came up sooner than we thought.
"I hope fans are not angry with Frank.
"What they can be concerned with is that this has taken quite a long time, but Frank has been on vacation in the middle of all this - and he deserved that time away, it was a pretty tough season - so that was always going to be a factor.
"He cannot bash the door and say 'give me a contract', it is a big decision for them (Chelsea) and for him, so why would it get rushed.
"I can understand the disappointment that he is moving, I can understand that because we had a great season with him and so you want to hope that is going to continue."
Morris added: "Whenever Chelsea came calling, we always said this was going to happen and so I think we shouldn't have any anger towards Frank, he has done nothing wrong in this situation.
"I am genuinely thrilled for him and I really hope it works out, I really do."
