Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel have parted company after the Blues were beaten 1-0 in their Champions League opener by Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday evening and a slow start to the Premier League campaign.
A statement by the club on Wednesday read thus:
“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’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.”
The news about Tuchel comes as a surprise to many Chelsea supporters, despite the mixed start to the season. The Blues are currently sixth in the Premier League after three wins, one draw and two defeats from their opening six matches.
The German managed his 100th – and what turned out to be his final – match as Chelsea head coach on Tuesday in the 1-0 defeat away at Dinamo Zagreb. There had been plenty of speculation over the club offering Tuchel a new contract but that has swiftly changed.
