Chelsea boss Tuchel splits from his former wife after 13 years of marriage

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has split from his wife, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

While facing the fallout from the Government's sanctions on Roman Abramovich, the club's Russian oligarch owner, Tuchel has also been dealing with the collapse of his 13-year marriage.

His wife Sissi began divorce proceedings last week, with friends saying that 'all avenues are exhausted' when it comes to hopes of a reconciliation.

'Sissi and Thomas have tried to avoid splitting but in the end there was no other way,' said a source.

'It is very sad and now it is all about making sure their daughters are the top priority. Papers were lodged last week to get the divorce under way.'

Former journalist Mrs Tuchel moved to Britain in August, seven months after Tuchel, 48, joined Chelsea from the French team Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

He initially stayed in a hotel before the family set up home in Cobham, Surrey, near Chelsea's training ground.

Tuchel, who is reportedly paid £7million a year, now faces a multi-million-pound divorce deal. His wife gave up her job at the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung to bring up their family, so may be entitled to a slice of his future earnings as well as up to half of his current fortune. Sources say the couple are determined to keep the divorce amicable.

Just ten months ago, Mrs Tuchel was seen running across the pitch at Porto's Estadio do Dragao before leaping into her husband's arms after Chelsea secured a 1-0 Champions League victory over Manchester City.

While manager of PSG, Tuchel and his family lived in the upmarket Hauts-de-Seine district of Paris. Mrs Tuchel, 46, has been credited with helping her husband to excel during a managerial career that has seen him win a clutch of trophies in Germany, France and England.

'Sissi is no fool, she isn't your archetypal footballer's wife, she is a clever woman,' said the source.

Tuchel has been praised for the way in which he has coped with the restrictions placed on Chelsea after Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

As a new owner is sought, the club cannot sell tickets for games, sign players or give new contracts to existing players. Tuchel, whose team was thrashed at home by Brentford yesterday, did not respond to a request for comment.