It was assumed that the end of Roman Abramovich’s ownership would be a good thing for the longevity of Chelsea managers. No English club won more than the 21 trophies amassed in 19 years of the Russian’s tenure, but 13 different managers — two of whom came back for a second stint — rarely enjoyed any lasting comfort in the Stamford Bridge hot seat.
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Thomas Tuchel knew what he was letting himself in for when succeeding Frank Lampard in January 2021. Or at least, he thought he did. Many of his predecessors (including Lampard) spoke of building a dynasty, but Tuchel embraced the capricious nature of the job he had taken. Grateful for an elite infrastructure built to win, he was going to make the most of it.
Some were wary of the void created by Abramovich’s distance as an owner, yet Tuchel revelled in the freedom to work and coach the team as he saw fit, without outside interference and internal politics. The 47-year-old’s previous employment came at Paris Saint-Germain, where many managers have departed reflecting that the same could not be said of the Ligue 1 club. At Chelsea, Tuchel was “head coach,” not “manager,” and for all the subtle yet clear distinction the differing title implies, that was fine by him.
And so, in the final reckoning, it was the change that did for Tuchel at Chelsea — change that began with the club placed in unprecedented circumstances as U.K government sanctions relating to Abramovich’s alleged links to Russia president Vladimir Putin restricted the club’s day-to-day activities.
Tuchel assumed a quasi-ambassadorial role as the public face of the club during a period fraught with tension when Chelsea’s very existence felt threatened. When the consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital eventually completed their £2.5 billion takeover in May, the job changed again. Tuchel was asked to take on greater responsibility for transfer strategy, engage in a regular dialogue with the new owners, consider external input and an alteration of his ideas.
That shift led to tension, which eventually brought on the German’s dismissal this week. It also explains why Boehly and Clearlake settled on Graham Potter to replace him.
With additional reporting by Julien Laurens
