German coach Thomas Tuchel has been fired as Chelsea manager following a poor start to the season.
Tuchel leaves Stamford Bridge after 20 months in charge. His dismissal follows Tuesday night’s Champions League 1-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb.
Owner Todd Boehly has placed Tuchel’s coaching staff in temporary charge until a replacement is found.
“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,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.
“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,” the club explained.
“There will be no further comment until a new head coach appointment is made,” ended the statement.
The 49-year-old made an immediate impact when replacing Frank Lampard in January 2021, reviving the team’s Premier League season and taking them to the Champions League final, where they beat Manchester City.
Chelsea finished third in the Premier League last season as their expected challenge to Manchester City, and Liverpool’s domestic dominance failed to materialise.
They also reached the FA Cup and League Cup finals, losing to Liverpool on penalties on each occasion.
Tuchel, formerly manager of Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund, is the first managerial casualty since new American owner Todd Boehly took over the club.
