Thomas Tuchel has established himself as one of the top football managers in recent years, with his tactical acumen and innovative coaching style earning him widespread admiration. However, his managerial journey has not been without its fair share of ups and downs, including a controversial sacking from Chelsea before he was confirmed as Bayern Munich’s new head coach last week.
Thomas Tuchel on his Chelsea sacking: “It was a shock. The meeting only lasted 3-5 minutes at 8 in the morning. We all thought we were on the right track and had more time to build” 🔵 #CFC
“I've found a new challenge, I'm happy to be at Bayern”, says via @iMiaSanMia. pic.twitter.com/M6nlzGRj5O
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 31, 2023
Thomas Tuchel: Early Life And Rise To Prominence
Tuchel began his coaching career in the youth ranks of VfB Stuttgart and FC Augsburg before making a name for himself at Mainz 05. His success at Mainz caught the attention of Borussia Dortmund, who appointed him as their head coach in 2015.
At Dortmund, Tuchel continued to showcase his tactical prowess, winning the DFB-Pokal in 2017 and reaching the UEFA Europa League quarterfinals. However, his relationship with the club’s hierarchy deteriorated, leading to his dismissal in May 2017.
After a year-long sabbatical, Tuchel took charge of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2018. Under his guidance, PSG secured back-to-back Ligue 1 titles and reached the UEFA Champions League final for the first time in the club’s history. Despite these accomplishments, Tuchel’s relationship with the PSG board became strained, and he was sacked in December 2020.
Chelsea Success and Sudden Dismissal
Tuchel’s next challenge came at Stamford Bridge, where he replaced Frank Lampard in January 2021. He quickly turned the team’s fortunes around, guiding them to a top-four finish in the Premier League and winning the UEFA Champions League by defeating Manchester City in the final. However, in a shocking turn of events, Tuchel was abruptly dismissed by Chelsea last year, sparking widespread controversy.
The 49-year-old has now broken his silence on the brutal meeting that ended his Chelsea tenure. The Bayern manager shared with The Daily Mail:
“It came as a shock. Oddly enough, I sensed it when I was on my way to the training center. The meeting we had felt peculiar – and it ended up being a very brief meeting. It was around 8 am and lasted for about three to five minutes. I wasn’t in the mood for an extended conversation either.”
“The decision had been made, and, honestly, it was a shock for all of us. We had a feeling that we were in the right spot at the right time. We felt that we could achieve big things, and we wanted to stay longer – it was as simple as that.”
Several reasons have been cited for Tuchel’s dismissal, ranging from disagreements over transfer policy to tensions with key players. The sacking has been met with criticism from pundits and fans alike, who argue that Tuchel’s impressive record and impact on the team warranted more patience from the club’s hierarchy.
