Thomas Tuchel was shown the door by Chelsea’s new owners Wednesday. (Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Barely a month into the new season Thomas Tuchel is looking for a new job.
In the wake of a 1-0 loss at Dinamo Zagreb in the UEFA Champions League and a poor start to the English Premier League season, Chelsea sacked the manager on Wednesday.
U.S. men’s national team forward Christian Pulisic, plays for the Blues, but he has been relegated to to the role as a second-half substitute.
The Blues (3-2-1, 10) are in sixth place in the EPL, trailing first-place Arsenal by five points after spending $300 million on new players in the offseason.
“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 said in a statement on its website.
Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over as owners of the club after Russia oligarch Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the club earlier this year in wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
No immediate successor was named.
According to The Telegraph, Anthony Barry is likely to take temporary charge until a replacement is found. Graham Potter set to be the early frontrunner, the newspaper reported.
The club also stated on its website:
“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.
“Chelsea’s coaching staff will take charge of the team for training and the preparation of our upcoming matches as the Club moves swiftly to appoint a new head coach.
“There will be no further comment until a new head coach appointment is made.”
Pulisic, regarded as the USA’s best player, has seen 170 minutes of action over seven matches this season with the World Cup in Qatar looming in November. He has not scored a goal. Pulisic performed 15 minutes as a second-half sub on Tuesday.
After losing to Dinamo, Tuchel said: “I’m angry at myself. I’m angry about our performance. It’s not precise enough, it’s not clinical enough, it’s not aggressive enough on the ball, it’s not determined enough, it’s not enough individually, it’s not good enough as a team. And that’s why we lost the game today.”