New Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has revealed that his predecessor Frank Lampard has sent him a message today to wish him all the best.
The former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain head coach took charge of his first game last night - a goalless draw with Wolves in the Premier League.
Club legend Lampard was sacked this week after 18-months in charge - and Tuchel hopes there won't be a fan backlash.
"I hope there is not because that would be hard on the team," the German coach told reporters this afternoon "The fans are so close and behind the team, it makes a big difference.
"I know it was a big disappointment for the fanbase that Frank was sacked. I was a huge fan of Frank as a player. I have the biggest respect for him personally and for his legacy.
"My respect got bigger when I received a message today, a personal message, to wish me all the best and maybe to meet in the future when possible.
"The club made clear to me this is not my fault, I cannot change the situation for him. The decision was made and I was handed the opportunity."
Chelsea have already had 12 managers in the Abramovich era but Tuchel says he's not scared by the Blues' history of swiftly changing coaches.
"I am absolutely grateful that I can work on this level. If you sign up for Chelsea you sign up for the hunger of titles. You sign up for being competitive in every competition that you play. I am aware of that.
"It does not scare me to be sacked. We have big ambition, and I myself have the biggest ambitions. I am excited about the structure of the club. I am absolutely aware at some point everybody expects results, but I expect that of myself.
"It was an opportunity with one of the biggest clubs in the world in the most competitive league in the world. We felt like we should absolutely not miss the chance to join the Chelsea family. It was a pretty easy choice."
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