Chelsea sack Tuchel after Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb
Thomas Tuchel has been relieved of his duties as Chelsea head coach, a club statement saying: “The new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition.”
Chelsea have sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel following Tuesday’s surprise Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb.
“Right time to make transition”
“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,” a statement read.
“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.”
The Blues’ 1-0 loss to Zagreb in the opening game of their Champions League campaign was their third defeat in five matches in all competitions.
Champions League win the pinnacle of Tuchel’s tenure
Tuchel, 48, took charge of Chelsea in January 2021, leading the West Londoners to their second European title that May, thanks to a 1-0 Champions League final win over Manchester City in Porto.
A season without major silverware followed in 2021/22, as his team finished third in the Premier League, were beaten by Liverpool in both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup finals, and were knocked out of the Champions League quarter-finals by eventual winners Real Madrid.
The former Mainz, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss leaves Stamford Bridge with Chelsea in sixth place in the Premier League, five points off leaders Arsenal.
In addition to lifting the 2020/21 Champions League title, Tuchel’s Chelsea beat Villarreal on penalties to win the UEFA Super Cup in August 2021, and claimed their first ever FIFA Club World Cup with an extra-time victory over Palmeiras in February.
See also: video - Tuchel’s last words as Chelsea head coach
