Following the shocking defeat away to Dynamo Zagreb on Tuesday, Chelsea have made an abrupt decision to sack Thomas Tuchel, after a year and a half in charge. But is the right call by the new owners?
If you look at the last few results prior to the sacking, three defeats in the last seven do not sound that bad. Yes, you could say that the back three looks very shaky, conceding 13 goals in seven games, but at the same time, the team is creating chances to score. But surely the singning of Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang will lead to those opportunities turning into goals.
Chelsea’s next three fixtures are away to local rivals Fulham, a Champions League tie at home to Red Bul Salzburg, and then another huge test at home to Liverpool. surely you would want to see what happens in those next three games, particularly the West London Derby to see what happens? Could Tuchel have gotten a reaction out of the players, especially after the past few results?
When billionaire, Roman Abramovich left Stamford Bridge just before the end of last season, you would have thought that Todd Bohley would be less of a brutal man, particularly when it comes to hiring and sacking managers, yet it seems as if the American has gone down the same lane as the Russian.
‘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. ‘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 FC: Daily Mail
According to sources, Mauricio Pochettino is the leading candidate to replace the German in the Chelsea dugout. Brighton Boss Graham Potter is also being approached by the club.
But coming back to Tuchel, the call to axe him from the club, seems a little harsh to axe him, particularly at this stage, with the huge clash with the Reds next Sunday.
Let’s not forget that Chelsea had a merry-go-round of appointing and sacking managers from the start and the end of the Abramovic era. Jose Mourinho is the longest serving manager in that era with his two stints of 185 and 136, making it 321 games in total.
The issue with this is the consistency of success. Tuchel was brought in to win trophies for the club, which he did in the form of the Champions League and the Club World Cup.
But an indifferent start to the season means that the Blue’s Title challenge is already under threat of going pear-shaped, particularly with the defeat against Southampton, and draw at home to Spurs.
But is it the right thing to do this early on in the season?
Surely you would want to wait for another few matches to see if the German can turn things around before the international break?
Looking ahead to who might take over, Pochettino deserves another shot at the Premier League, especially what he has done with Spurs in the past.
As he was sacked by PSG after a falling out with the owner and the players, he will have a point to prove as being one of the top managers in the world.
If the Blues manage to appoint the Argentine, there will be more success for them in the future, particularly if they are patient with him.
Potter could be an option, but would he want to leave Brighton after the start they have made this season, don’t think so.
What happens in the future is uncertain, but right now these are testing times for Chelsea Football Club.
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