Thomas Tuchel, manager of Chelsea, during the press conference after the 1-0 loss to GNK Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League game at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, Croatia, September 6, 2022. /CFP
The Premier League's Chelsea sacked their manager Thomas Tuchel, the club announced on Wednesday.
"Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel," Chelsea said in a statement. "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."
Chelsea had a disappointing start in the 2022-23 season. They won three and lost two of their first six Premier League games to rank sixth on the standings table. On Tuesday night, the club was upset by GNK Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb in their first game of the UEFA Champions League.
Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard when he took over Chelsea in January 2021. They were fourth in Premier League that season. However, they beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League final at Estadio do Dragao in Porto on May 29, 2021, to win their second tournament title in history.
Thomas Tuchel, manager of Chelsea, looks on during the UEFA Champions League game against GNK Dinamo Zagreb at Stadion Maksimir in Zagreb, Croatia, September 6, 2022. /CFP
Chelsea went through the 2021-22 season under the shadow of their former owner Roman Abramovich being forced to sell the club. In the end, the club was sold to American billionaire Todd Boehly for $5.25 billion in May. Chelsea finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League this season.
However, "the Blues" watched multiple key players, including Antonio Rudiger, Marcos Alonso and Andreas Christensen, leave. Though the club acquired Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly, Marc Cucurella and Raheem Sterling during the summer window, it takes time for Tuchel to build them into a competitive squad. Unfortunately, he didn't get such patience from the new owner.
"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 said in the statement. "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."