Thomas Tuchel was reportedly left astounded on receiving the news of his immediate firing by Chelsea's new ownership on Wednesday (September 7).
After the Blues slumped to a 1-0 defeat against Dinamo Zagreb at the Stadio Maksimir in their UEFA Champions League opener on Tuesday, Tuchel was given his marching orders by Todd Boehly. It was the Blues' third defeat in five games across competitions.
This season, the west London outfit have had only three wins – against Everton, Leicester City and West Ham United – in the last month. Tuchel faced the sack after exactly 100 games - keeping 31 clean sheets in the first 50 and only 18 in the next 50. The Dinamo defeat was the last straw that broke the camel's back.
According to The Sun, Tuchel was hurried into a 10-minute call conference with the Chelsea hierarchy when he showed up at Cobham on Wednesday morning. Despite his pleas of offering him more time to turn thengs around at Stamford Bridge, he was shown the door - exactly 100 days into the club's new ownership.
The decision left the former Paris Saint-Germain manager 'totally shocked'. He collected his belongings and bade his goodbye to his support staff before leaving the training centre. Whether the players were present at the time of his departure is not unclear.
Announcing the decision of parting ways with Tuchel, the club released a statement on their official website, which read:
"Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with head coach Thomas Tuchel. 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."
Tuchel, who replaced Frank Lampard in January last year, helped the Blues win the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League, the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Super Cup.
According to The Telegraph, Boehly has identified Brighton & Hove Albion boss Graham Potter as the early favourite to replace Tuchel. Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane are also on the radar.
Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League standings with ten points from six games. They will next lock horns with London rivals Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday (September 10).
Danny Murphy comments on Chelsea's decision to fire Thomas Tuchel
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy shared his thoughts on Tuchel's sacking, terming it premature and a 'knee-jerk' reaction. He said:
"I'm really shocked, really surprised. I like him; he's intelligent; he's one of the top managers out there. I think it's too early, that's my gut feeling. I think it's a knee-jerk reaction to a game last night that they dominated and would have won nine times out of ten."
Tuchel led the Blues to a third-place finish in the Premier League last season despite the club's well-publicised ownership issues.
Dombnouyz
0
no choice about coach that boss is not good at Chelsea fc
Dombnouyz
0
Thomas tuchel is sacking but no choice about coach at Chelsea fc owner a todd boehly ask your friend and your membership about coach no to your selfie
FuckEverything
0
klopp next..ul not be shocked still😜
Yall im not a lfc fan lol
Ameimessi
0
he was goood and humble but after the ucl.. he is thougt he was invincible
Neitsizozumvu
0
Shocked? How did he not see it coming? lmao
klopp next..ul not be shocked still😜
Toeikmp
0
mad man owner u fi fire u self fucking fool
Toeikmp
1
if a nuh zinedine zidane a have Chelsea mi ago be a man city fans
Madcap_237
0
Nvm I see how its disrespectful but I dont see how calling adds emotional distraught.
It's still wrong anyways
FuckEverything
0
Klopp next ??
It will always end in a sack or resign so idk. Its hard to say since Liverpool really love him and trust him a lot.
FuckEverything
0
Not to me it isn't I think it's disrespectful to someone's feelings whn u sack them over the phone Tht will just add the emotional distraught the person is supposed to feel after the news
Nvm I see how its disrespectful but I dont see how calling adds emotional distraught.
cueclmntu
1
Shocked? How did he not see it coming? lmao
Klopp next ??
UyiGentle
0
Unless Tuchel does well, he has to expect this sack. He was offered money enough to sign players and he was also offered players like Ronaldo but Tuchel refused to sign Ronaldo. In stead he signed players like Sterling etc but those spending of money was nor worth enough to win games that cost Tuchel his job.
Stop talking about Ronaldo this and Ronaldo that, if and but. Ronaldo is not even doing well in Man U. Zero goals and zero assist this season. It was an early sack, he would have done better with this squad, a lot of new signings that needed time to get along. Remember he won 3 cups for Chelsea with the same squad that Lampard couldn’t even do anything with including the UCl
Zomdklrs
0
Shocked? How did he not see it coming? lmao
what bout your manager
Madcap_237
0
Calling isn't the problem, it's actually normal.
Not to me it isn't I think it's disrespectful to someone's feelings whn u sack them over the phone Tht will just add the emotional distraught the person is supposed to feel after the news
FuckEverything
1
Why wouldn't he be I mean they shldve atleast had some courtesy to meet him IN PERSON b4 taking their decision but no! They chose to break the bad news over the phone. Such a turnoff[Sadtolook]
Calling isn't the problem, it's actually normal.
FuckEverything
1
Shocked? How did he not see it coming? lmao
Yioilmrstz
0
Whether the players were present at the time of his departure is not unclear⁉
Javizo
1
On my side I recommend HIGH PRESS FOOTBALL that's all we need most, thanks for your services anyway Mr Tuchel... but I mean HIGH PRESSING FOOTBALL like Citizens or Bayern... or Madrid etc.
Noabclnsty
1
serious ball is an a calculation Thomas never ruling the flyer at old
Chongloi4Juv
3
Unless Tuchel does well, he has to expect this sack. He was offered money enough to sign players and he was also offered players like Ronaldo but Tuchel refused to sign Ronaldo. In stead he signed players like Sterling etc but those spending of money was nor worth enough to win games that cost Tuchel his job.
XackEr26
0
Now I don't see Chelsea finishing in the champions league category this season.
Huuabkmnty
0
Chelsea copying Barcelona by sacking TT via phone call
Tipbcmnrt
0
Chelsea need a result..than pls relegate..play in conference cup...surely result will come.
Sisdeop
3
you TUCHEL, are you not shock with the results u producing after 278 million pounds was spent?
sunnysayus
2
You like this？Thay is serious
Madcap_237
2
Why wouldn't he be I mean they shldve atleast had some courtesy to meet him IN PERSON b4 taking their decision but no! They chose to break the bad news over the phone. Such a turnoff[Sadtolook]