Speaking his first words publicly since Chelsea’s decision to fire him, the German admitted to being left devastated by the turn of events.
Following a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, a poor start to the 2022/23 season, and an underwhelming end to the 2021/22 campaign, Chelsea and its new ownership decided to part company with head coach Thomas Tuchel. His dismissal came as a shock to many, mere months after he led the Blues to wins in the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.
Speaking for the first time since his dismissal, Tuchel admitted to being left devastated by the club’s decision to sack him, a place where, he says, he felt at home.
“I am devastated that my time at Chelsea has come to an end.”
“This is a club where I felt at home, both professionally and personally. Thank you so much to all the staff, the players and the supporters for making me feel very welcome from the start.
“The pride and joy I felt at helping the team to win the Champions League and the Club World Cup will stay with me forever. I am honoured to have been a part of this club’s history and whatever the future holds for me, the memories of the last 19 months will always have a special place in my heart,”
he wrote on Twitter.
Tuchel joined Chelsea in January 2020 after the club had parted ways with Frank Lampard, the former player and club legend sacked after a string of disappointing results.
In his first six months, Tuchel led the Blues to a fourth-placed finish, an FA Cup Final, and a second UEFA Champions League title. In his second season, Chelsea finished third, won the Super Cup and the Club World Cup, but lost both the FA Cup and EFL Cup to Liverpool.
Chelsea have already brought in a replacement, too. Graham Potter signed for the club last week after he was bought out of his Brighton and Hove Albion contract. He is yet to make his managerial debut for the West London outfit.
