Frank Christian
Thomas Tuchel is set to officially assume the role of England’s permanent head coach starting January 1, 2025. He will take over from Gareth Southgate, who resigned following the team’s loss in the Euro 2024 final.
Lee Carsley, the interim manager, has expressed a lack of interest in the full-time position, while reports indicate that the Football Association has been working discreetly on Tuchel’s appointment.
On October 15, news surfaced about ongoing discussions with Tuchel, leading to the announcement of an agreement. The following day, the FA confirmed that Tuchel had signed an 18-month contract that will last until the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans of England will remember Tuchel’s successful period at Chelsea, which lasted 18 months. He guided the club from a rough patch under Frank Lampard to triumph in the UEFA Champions League, before circumstances changed under new ownership.
So, what led to his departure from Chelsea?
Reasons for Tuchel’s Dismissal from Chelsea
Tuchel was relieved of his duties on September 7, 2022, just after six games into the 2022/23 Premier League season, despite having recently signed a contract that extended until the end of the 2023/24 season.
This decision followed a surprising defeat in the UEFA Champions League group stage against Dinamo Zagreb, though signs of trouble were evident before this incident.
100 – Tonight was Thomas Tuchel’s 100th match in charge of Chelsea; in his first 50 games they only conceded 24 goals, while in his last 50 they have conceded 53 goals. Breakdown. pic.twitter.com/36VwODedGc
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 6, 2022
The club acknowledged Tuchel’s achievements, including winning the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup, deeming it time to implement a transition after the recent poor performance.
Chelsea started the season underwhelmingly, securing only three wins from six matches. They also faced disappointment by losing both the FA Cup and EFL Cup finals to Liverpool in previous months.
Additionally, there appeared to be a desire from the new ownership to find their own head coach, as Tuchel’s appointment occurred under the previous owner, Roman Abramovich. Just 30 minutes after Tuchel’s dismissal, the club was reportedly in talks to hire Graham Potter as his successor.
4 – Despite being in charge of Chelsea for just 589 days, no manager has ever reached more major domestic/European finals with the Blues than Thomas Tuchel (4). Memorable. pic.twitter.com/3OwFdv1cOi
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 7, 2022
Reports suggested that Tuchel became frustrated with the club’s operations, particularly during a summer transfer period that saw them spend a record £250 million on new players, most of whom did not align with his preferences. Furthermore, several of his key collaborators were dismissed.
In May 2024, Tuchel reminisced about his tenure at Chelsea, expressing his gratitude for the experience and affection for the English Premier League.
Tuchel’s Tenure at Bayern Munich and PSG
After leaving Chelsea, Tuchel joined Bayern Munich in March 2023, replacing Julian Nagelsmann. His stint lasted only one season as Bayern decided not to continue with him at the end of that campaign, following a tough battle for the Bundesliga title.
Although he was not explicitly dismissed, Bayern showed a desire for a change, especially amid some player discontent and media criticism regarding his strategies. Tuchel accepted his role in the situation, stating he was dissatisfied with the team’s performance.
A similar scenario unfolded during his time at Borussia Dortmund and PSG. At Dortmund, he departed due to a rupture in relations with club management, while at PSG, despite winning multiple titles and reaching a Champions League final, he had conflicts with the hierarchy, leading to a tense atmosphere.
