WAS TODD BOEHLY THE MAIN REASON THOMAS TUCHEL WAS SACKED AS CHELSEA BOSS?

Featured image credit: CBS Sports

The news of Thomas Tuchel’s sacking seemed a shock to the whole football community. This is despite the turbulent start to the season that saw a loss to Southampton and a narrow win against West Ham due to a controversial VAR decision. They also started their UEFA Champions League campaign the wrong way following a defeat to Dynamo Zagreb with a lifeless and unambiguous performance. There are many points that people have highlighted as a potential reason Tuchel lost his job so soon into the season with many fingers being raised at new owner Todd Boehly. The American billionaire had already shown how ruthless he is the transfer market where it’s estimated a gigantic £272 million has been spent, (via football transfers.com) on big names such as Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella.

It's also believed he removed Petr Cech as technical and performance advisor, who was not just a Chelsea legend but someone who was also heavily responsible for taking Chelsea out of the controversial European Super League in March 2021, and Marina Granovskaia a well-respected business figure at the club and the silent weapon behind some amazing deals for Chelsea that saw Alvaro Morata leave to join Atletico in June 2020 for a reported £58 million. These are well-respected characters behind the scenes of the club who Tuchel worked with for 18 months and helped him achieve their victory in the UEFA Champions League. As a new owner of a football club, it is very familiar to see managers get sacked and replaced for a manager the owner sees as a boss who can lead a football club and create a legacy. This wouldn’t come as a surprise as Boehly wants to take Chelsea back to the top. Many understandably feel the decision is undeserved as Tuchel was often working in the unknown following the sanctions Roman Abramovich faced due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine which also prevented the club from offering Antonio Rudiger a new contract, allowing him to join Real Madrid on a free transfer. Multiple reports in the media suggest that Chelsea have approached Brighton for manager Graham Potter who has done an excellent job during his three years in charge and has Brighton currently sitting 4th. Many would be surprised if he takes this job and can possibly see Mauricio Pochettino making his well anticipated return to the premier league, since being sacked by Chelsea’s rivals Tottenham in late 2019.