Chelsea owner Todd Boehly was straight-faced as he was snapped arriving at the club's Cobham training ground just hours after pulling the trigger on Thomas Tuchel's reign.
The German's reign came to an end early on Wednesday morning following the Blues' abysmal 1-0 defeat to Dynamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
Boehly's decision was made before Chelsea's embarrassing defeat in Croatia but it was still far from business as usual for the American, who was driven into the training ground for crunch talks with the playing staff Tuchel has left behind.
Boehly - who made the decision on the 100th day into his reign since replacing Roman Abramovich - was followed into the training ground by Kai Havertz, who scored the final goal of his compatriot's tenure in the weekend's controversial 2-1 win against West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
Ben Chilwell - who scored the first Blues goal against the Hammers - also put on a glum face, while academy products Trevoh Chalobah and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were also spotted arriving.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and summer signing Raheem Sterling were also stern-faced as they began their preparations for the short trip away to west London rivals Fulham on Saturday.
Fellow summer arrivals Carney Chukwuemeka and Wesley Fofana from Aston Villa and Chelsea similarly did not afford themselves a smile, with the latter's unhappiness likely linked to his Instagram post, after he became the first Blues player to post about Tuchel's dramatic sacking.
Fofana only completed his £75m move to the club last week, after Chelsea's elongated summer pursuit of the former Leicester City centre-back, of which Tuchel was a key driving force behind.
He made his debut for Chelsea on Saturday and also featured in last night's defeat, but was arguably at fault for Mislav Orsic's winner.
The Frenchman posted a photo on his Instagram story of himself and Tuchel embracing, suggesting his sadness at the German's dismissal.
Chelsea lie in sixth in the Premier League and have lost their past three away games in all competitions.
The club released a statement on their website announcing Tuchel's dismissal, which read: '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.'
Tuchel leaves having guided Chelsea to UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup glory.
Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2021 to replace Frank Lampard and hit the ground running by winning the Champions League in six months.
Last season Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, only to lose to Liverpool on both occasions. They also finished third in the Premier League.
Chelsea have paid £15million to get rid of Tuchel - with £13million going to the German and £2million to his backroom staff.
The Blues have permission to speak to Brighton & Hove Albion manager Graham Potter as they look to persuade their No 1 choice to be in place by Saturday.
Former Tottenham Hotspur and PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino is also high on Chelsea's list of candidates.
Holuwhapamilerin
151
boehly to the players be like I am your new coach lads
melven
108
maybe he wants to take over the coaching 🤣🤣
busuyi1129
82
the new owner know nothing about football .. at least it should give him this season I wanna see Chelsea in relegation 😂
Cuhaciktu
56
I don't feel it for chelsea football club Thomas has done so much for this club in a short space of time and if he never came in tell me which coach would take up Chelsea at the time when they were searching. these owners are not here for the club they are here for their pockets they are no different from the glazers and in time you will all see. I read that the players were talking about the managers relationship so what he's dating a younger woman it's his life your job is to play football and build and lift your club. if God should reveal some of those players dirty lifestyles and disgusting behavior not even satan in hell would by them leave people alone and don't chastised a man for the way he lives his life he is ther to train and to help the club and the players are there to make it work with all the people in the club. look at what the owners do in 100 days look how much people they fired or let so what did u all expect for the coach you can't take a owner who has no clue about football to run a football club. I am a dye hearted Arsenal fan I live in Jamaica and I know raheem Sterling and leon bailey personally we all friends along with Usain Bolt and talking to them today it's really sad. Chelsea need a baptism and I'm not saying that all clubs are perfect but the whole club need to be fired if that's the case and leave the owners let them play and run the club this is ridiculously stupid and I am very upset. Mikel Arteta should maybe go then for all his ups and downs before this season but Arsenal. believe in the process. Rome isn't built in a day and the world takes 7 days to go it's 100days and I believe the owners of chelsea should be sacked too because they are recking a club that I see down the road with Thomas back on top