Pep Guardiola says he hopes to see Frank Lampard when lockdown is over as he expressed sympathy for the Englishman following his sacking by Chelsea.
Lampard was dismissed on Monday after 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge, with the axe coming down on the club legend with the Blues down in ninth place in the Premier League table.
The club's all-time record goalscorer, Lampard was able to guide the Blues to a top four finish in his first season in charge, but after an expensive summer outlay the club have underperformed in the current campaign and were beaten 3-1 by Guardiola's City at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.
The City boss says managers don't get enough time any more, as he made an offer to the former England midfielder.
“People talk about projects and ideas, but they don’t exist - you have to win or you’ll be sacked," he said.
“I respect the decision by Chelsea, but hopefully I can see Frank soon, take him to a restaurant to see him again when lockdown is over."
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich made a rare public statement about the sacking, and paid tribute to Lampard's status as one of the club's greats.
“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," said Abramovich in a statement released on the Chelsea website.
“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.
“On behalf of everyone at the club, the board and personally, I would like to thank Frank for his work as Head Coach and wish him every success in the future.
"He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished.
"He will always be warmly welcomed back at Stamford Bridge.”
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