Chelsea have confirmed that they have ‘parted company’ with coach Thomas Tuchel following a disastrous start to their UEFA Champions League campaign with a defeat against low-key Dinamo Zagreb. The Blues were already enduring a torrid run in the Premier League, and the loss in European competition has evidently proved to be the nail in the coffin. As a result, Tuchel is relieved from his duties, shortly after overseeing his 100th gam in charge.
Tuchel’s expensive squad has only garnered 10 points from a possible 18 in the Premier League, with three wins, two losses and a draw so far. The defeats include embarrassing 3-0 drubbing by Leeds United and a 2-1 humbling by Southampton. Moreover, despite big-money signings Chelsea have only managed to scrape past through the likes of Everton, Leicester City and West Ham with a goal’s difference.
Thomas Tuchel’s sacking comes days after being handed with signings worth £271m
Thomas Tuchel’s sacking has come at the most unexpected of times after Chelsea handed him signings worth a whopping £271 million. The club’s new owner Todd Boehly was eager to make a statement at Stamford Bridge by spending big, and he did attain the same. The Blues acquired seven players, for a total of £271 million as Tuchel was given a free-hand to choose the players he wanted.
Wesley Fofana [£72m], Marc Cucurella [£58 m], Raheem Sterling [£50m], Kalidou Koulibaly [£34m], Carney Chukwuemeka [£16m], Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang [£11m] and Denis Zakaria [£2m loan fee] all landed this summer at Stamford Bridge to reinforce the Londoners’ squad. However, Thomas Tuchel was unable to bring the best out his new players which could be touted as another reason for Boehly running out of patience.
Chelsea had a history of sacking managers immediately if they failed to deliver under former owner Roman Abramovich, and it seems the trend has been continued by Boehly. In an official statement released by the club, they have stated:
“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.”
Thomas Tuchel was an instant hit at Chelsea after he took-over the job back in January 2021. He steered the Blues to Champions League glory during the 2020/21 season, which was followed by the UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup triumphs. Across his 100 games in charge, the German recorded 63 wins and 18 losses.