Chelsea midfielder http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Frank-Lampard-c14097 admits there is pressure to win the UEFA Champions League
Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admitted the desire to win the UEFA Champions League had pressurized the managers at the club. It is understandable since the Blues have won domestic trophies and cups, including the English Premier League title, the FA Cup, Carling Cup and even the Community Shield over the years, but have not yet managed to get their hands on the coveted European Cup.
The likes of Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti were all in charge of the London club, but lost their http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Job-c18684 after their failure to ensure success in Europe. The latest manager to be sacked was former AC Milan boss, Carlo Ancelotti. The fact that he had delivered Chelsea’s first domestic double just a season before was not good enough for the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich.
The Russian billionaire brought in young Portuguese manager Andre Villas-Boas, after his success in the UEFA Europa League with http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/FC-Porto-c39186. The 33-year-old became the youngest ever manager to claim the second tier European Cup, because of which he was chosen by Abramovich to replace Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge. He faces Bayer Leverkusen in his first Champions League fixture in mid-week.
The 33-year-old midfielder revealed that the Blues’ desire to win the Champions League was not just because of Abramovich. He felt that after winning the domestic trophies, the squad wanted to win the Champions League at least once before they retired. It was for this reason that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 were focusing on the European Cup, in addition on trying to reclaim the English Premier League title.
Lampard said while speaking to reporters:
“I don't know if it is as cut-and-dried as managers losing their jobs for not winning the Champions League, but I understand where you're coming from - obviously it is something that the owner wants.
When you've had a lot of domestic success, it's not just the owner but the whole club and the fans; you want that extra step - to win in Europe.”
However, Lampard did not feel the previous managers had been sacked just because of their failure to win the Champions League trophy. The midfielder felt there were other reasons and that the failure to deliver the European Cup was one of them, which is why he felt the manager at the club would be under immense pressure to finally win the trophy.
Having once reached the final of the Champions League, in 2008 against Premier League rivals Manchester United, Lampard revealed his side had been somewhat unlucky. The http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 were a top side, but maintained confidence that his side would do well against them if given the chance to face them at any stage in the competition.
Lampard said:
“We've been so close in the Champions League and there's been frustration, obviously, as pretty much the same group has stayed for a lot of time. It seems to get tougher every year, because of the quality, particularly in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011, particularly Barcelona, who have raised the bar.”
Tags: