Chelsea to give Frank Lampard time to save his job but have shortlist of potential successors

Thomas Tuchel, Max Allegri, Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl are considered the primary options if Lampard is sacked

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard (AP)

Chelsea are willing to give Frank Lampard more time, but the situation is under constant review, as the club legend is now battling to keep his job.

Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Manchester City made it four defeats in six for the 42-year-old, ensuring he currently has the worst record of any manager in the Roman Abramovich era. 

Thomas Tuchel, Max Allegri, Brendan Rodgers and Ralph Hasenhuttl are considered the primary options if Lampard is sacked.

For Chelsea's part, they don't tend to act as abruptly as is often presumed. All of Antonio Conte, Andre Villas-Boas and Maurizio Sarri were given considerable grace periods after bad runs and bad defeats.

Lampard nevertheless has considerable problems to fix if he is to keep his job in the medium term, and actually be a success. 

Among the issues that are of most concern to the hierarchy are the struggle to get the best out of - or in some cases just use - major signings. Some players have also been confused by tactical instructions, and feel there has lately been a lack of clarity. 

The feeling is Lampard doesn't currently know his best team or how to best use the array of talent available to him. Some have misgivings about communication, but as many still look up to him.

The club hierarchy are understandably concerned with recent form and results but are also conscious of the esteem Lampard is still held in by a large section of the support.

Chelsea are seen as having two winnable games next up in the FA Cup against Morecambe and then away to Fulham, before a tricky run involving Leicester City, Wolves and Burnley.