Former Borussia Dortmund head coach Thomas Tuchel set for Chelsea move
By Tushar Bahl
Thomas Tuchel is set to be appointed as the new Chelsea head coach, just one month after being sacked by Paris St. Germain. The former Borussia Dortmund trainer will replace Frank Lampard, who was let go by the Premier League side earlier today. Tuchel is set to sign an 18 month deal with an option to extend for a further 12 months, according to various reports in Germany and England.
Tuchel’s arrival at Chelsea will see him reunite with former Borussia Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic. Pulisic, who left Borussia Dortmund to join 2019, made his senior debut under the former Mainz coach five years ago. Tuchel’s immediate task at Chelsea will be to get the best out of the likes of Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, who have struggled to make an impact in the Premier League following their big money summer moves from the Bundesliga.
Tuchel also faces a crunch Champions League round of 16 tie against Atletico Madrid next month. And with Chelsea currently in ninth place in the Premier League standings, the 47 year old will also be tasked with trying to lead them to a top four finish this season.
Chelsea were reportedly interested in bringing in former RB Leipzig director of football and head coach Ralf Rangnick on an interim deal, but he turned down the opportunity in search for a more permanent role.
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So Chelsea decided to go with Tuchel, who has been sacked from his last two jobs under acrimonious circumstances as a result of strained relationships with club bosses. Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joacim Watzke said about Tuchel in November, “Thomas is a difficult person, but a fantastic trainer.”