A “devastated” Thomas Tuchel has broken his silence after Chelsea decided to sack their Champions League winning manager last week.
Chelsea parted ways with Tuchel shortly after their record-breaking transfer window, which saw the Blues spend about £270 million ($461m AUD) on nine players.
But the English giants couldn’t justify this stunning spending spree with their results on the field, stumbling their way through their first six matches of their Premier League campaign.
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While other teams may be thrilled with a 50 percent win rate, and a sixth place position on the ladder, another slow start in the Champions League may have cemented Tuchel’s fate.
Chelsea began their ambitious quest for a third UCL title with a 1-0 loss to Croatian club Dinamo Zagreb, and Tuchel was sacked shortly after.
Now almost a week on, the 49-year-old has opened up on how “devastated” he is to have left Stamford Bridge.
“This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to write – and it is one which I hoped I would not need to do for many years,” Tuchel wrote on Twitter.
“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 the memories of the last 19 months will always have a special place in my heart.”
Chelsea opened their Premier League season with a tough win away from home against Everton, with Jorginho scoring the only goal of the match from the penalty spot.
But their season took a turn a week later in a 2-2 draw with Spurs, as Tuchel was sent off after clashing with manager Antonio Conte on the sideline.
Things went from bad to worse a week later against Leeds though, with the English giants having fallen to their unfancied opponents 3-0.
A 2-1 loss to Southampton 10 days later only piled more pressure on the playing group and Tuchel, who were clearly performing below the level that was expected of them.
“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,” a club statement reads.
While Premier League giants struggled, including Liverpool and Manchester United, Brighton were a team that thrived.
The Seagulls are, surprisingly, among the early season pacesetters after winning four of their six matches.
But Brighton will have to continue their fine form without manager Graham Potter, who has replaced Tuchel at Stamford Bridge.
“I am incredibly proud and excited to represent Chelsea FC, this fantastic football club,” Potter said.
“I am very excited to partner with Chelsea’s new ownership group and look forward to meeting and working with the exciting group of players and to develop a team and culture that our amazing fans can be proud of.”
Former Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou has been described as a “strong contender” to replace Potter in southern England by The Sunday Times.
While midfielder Adam Lallana has been named as an interim player-coach, Brighton have begun their search for a permanent manager.
