Thomas Tuchel has spoken out about being fired as Chelsea’s head coach. After managing Stamford Bridge for almost two years, the 49-year-old claimed he is devastated to have departed. He described the club as his “both professionally and emotionally” home....CONTINUE READING
Tuchel thanked the Blues staff, players, and supporters in a moving statement shared on Twitter for making him feel “extremely welcome from the start” of what turned out to be a very successful stint in west London.
The note in German said: “This is one of the hardest statements I have ever had to write, and I had hoped I wouldn’t have to for a very long time.
“The fact that my time at Chelsea is over makes me very sad. I felt at home with this club on a professional and personal level.
Tuchel continued, “I want to thank all the staff, players, and fans for making me feel so welcome right away.
“I am honored to have been a part of this club’s history and the memories of the last 19 months will always have a special place in my heart,” said the player who helped the squad win the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
Graham Potter, who has signed a five-year contract with Chelsea, will take over for Tuchel, along with a few backroom staff members from Brighton and Hove Albion.
The former Seagulls manager will now have to wait longer than anticipated before making his Premier League debut with the Blues due to the demise of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
It is unknown if Stamford Bridge will welcome Jurgen Klopp’s team to west London the day before because of her Majesty’s burial at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19. With Brentford vs. Arsenal slated for the same weekend and hundreds of thousands of people likely to visit the city in the coming days, the police would have a sizable challenge.
Much of Potter’s efforts up until the January transfer window opens will be influenced by the acquisitions Tuchel assisted Boehly in making in the summer.
Marc Cucurella, who departed the Amex Stadium months earlier, is undoubtedly the star arrival, but players like Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Raheem Sterling are also expected to play significant roles.
