Chelsea football club has parted ways with their former head coach amid mix reactions since the sacking of Thomas Tuchel as the former head coach of the club.
In a brief statement that was released by the club Wednesday, the new owners said “now was the right time” to part company with the former manager. This statement was indicative that the days of Thomas Tuchel at the club were already numbered.
The news comes as a surprise to most football followers around the world. People say they are surprised following his achievements at the club. There are others who believe that it was only a matter of time before the manager was axed, leading to an abysmal performance at the start of the 2022-2023 premier league campaign and the embarrassing defeat by Dinamo Zagreb in the opener of the champions league.
The decision has evoked sentiments for and against. Sky Sports Columnist, Paul Merson, expressed shock saying “I did not see it coming. They won the other day. They beat West Ham 2-1. Yes, they rode their luck with VAR but it was still a win. Then they go away to Zagreb, not the easiest place to go to, play a couple of fringe players and get beaten. But there are five more games left in that Champions League group. Let’s be honest, they have brought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in for Thomas Tuchel. They have not brought him in for any other reason. Now, Tuchel has gone. I just don’t get it. Why would you bring in Aubameyang and then get rid of Tuchel” he queries.
Another sports commenter Vince@Blue_Footy wrote on his twitter page “I’m as angry as everyone but I think we can’t talk about sacking the manager a few weeks after signing a quarter of the squad from his list. No, that’s not right. For me, whatever happens, give him at least till the end of the season. It’s the logical thing to do. Then, be prepared to go absolutely nowhere in the UCL this season, not qualify for it next season and win zero trophies while we’re at it.”
Chelsea has had a tradition of laying off coaches at the slightest hint of failure and Tuchel may not be the first nor the last of coaches to come under the axe.
Ali Daniel Opeyemi, another Chelsea fan had this to this much to say, when he wrote “TT’s sacking is not different from Lampard, Di Matteo, Mourinho and other past managers’ situation. Chelsea FC already set the standard before he signed the contract. Sacking underperforming managers is already in the DNA. At the end of the day, it’s always a win/win or win/loss.”
Frank Edoho a renowned Chelsea fan who has been very critical of Tuchel’s methods hinted that he felt as though he was responsible for the sacking owing to his criticism of Tuchel. He wrote on his Twitter page saying “am I the one that fired Tuchel? Every Chelsea fan was complaining about our hideous form, lacklustre style of play and our penchant for allowing opponents score easily. We all suspected the inevitable but Boehly took everyone by surprise.”
There is a conspiracy theory that suggest that Tuchel’s refusal to buy Christiano Ronaldo might have cost him his job and also his relationship with club owner Todd Boehly. This conspiracy believes that Boehly was poised to bring Ronaldo at Chelsea during the summer transfer but a stubborn Tuchel would not have any of it insisting that Ronaldo would destroy the spirit in the dressing room.
George Benson, an analyst backs the decision by the owners to part with Tuchel, but expressed reservations as the removal of Coach Tuchel may not be enough to solve Chelsea’s problems. ” I support Chelsea FC. There is a chance this was called too early and the replacement does not solve our current issue. If you don’t want to believe that this choice was with the new owners’ long term visions in mind, then I will leave you with the questions for upcoming year’s” he said.”
According to football journalist Fabrizo Romano, all is now set to announce a new manager barring last minute changes to a verbal deal agreement with Graham Potter. “Chelsea have their contract proposal ready to complete the appointment of Graham Potter, today is the day for final decisions. It’s up to Potter, now.
It seems more changes are to be expected to happen at the club following the departure of Tuchel. “Todd Boehly also wants a new director of football to be appointed soon and he’s working on it.” Romano explained. Three names were shortlisted for the vacancy, they were Graham Potter, Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane but Potter got the nod and has agreed in principle to become the new Chelsea manager.”
