Premier League club Chelsea has sacked its manager Thomas Tuchel in a surprise move after defeating Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League opener. As Chelsea struggles to make an impact on the pitch after their record-breaking transfer window, Tuchel’s departure is a surprise move no one saw coming.
The news is shocking because it was reported just a few weeks ago that Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel are in advanced talks to extend the contract. Chelsea who has won 3 of its 6 Premier League matches and lost two, is struggling to keep clean sheets despite spending money on top defenders.
The UEFA Champions League opening loss to Zagreb by 1-0 eventually cost Thomas Tuchel his job. Chelsea Football Club has released a statement stating that as the new owner continues to work hard to take the club forward, the new owners believe this is the right time to make a transition. The statement reads –
“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club. Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.
As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.
Chelsea’s coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and the preparation of our upcoming matches as the Club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.
There will be no further comment until a new head coach appointment is made.”
This has baffled a lot of fans as the sacking is being considered too much given it’s just been one month since the start of the season. Thomas Tuchel joins Scott Parker as the second managerial departure from a club this season.
Thomas Tuchel’s record at Chelsea
49-year-old German manager Thomas Tuchel joined Chelsea in January 2021 after then-manager Frank Lampard departed. He managed the club in 100 matches, winning 60, losing 16, and drawing 24. Chelsea scored 168 goals and conceded 77 goals in Tuchel’s tenure. Thomas Tuchel will leave Chelsea with his fair share of achievements.
He won the UEFA Champions League in the 2020-21 season after being appointed for just 5 months. He went on to win the UEFA Super Cup in the 2021-22 season and took his side to victory in the FIFA Club World Cup in February this year. Thomas Tuchel also won World’s Best Club Coach award in the 2020-21 season.
Chelsea’s new owner Todd Boehly however seems to have decided after a string of poor matches in his first Premier League season. The decision is being taken badly by the fans who are both shocked and sad at the same time to part ways with the manager who won them great glory in just 1 and a half years at the club.
Chelsea Football Club is now on the move to find and appoint a new manager. It is being reported that the club has approached Brighton’s manager Graham Potter to replace Tuchel. But he is not the only one on the list of 4 potential targets.
Chelsea will hope to appoint a new manager as soon as possible to avoid further damage to their already faltered start to the season.
