Is there any chance of Tuchel switching to Real Madrid in summer 2022?

Euan McTear

3 Apr 2022 08:21 BST
3 min read

Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Thomas Tuchel is currently preparing his Chelsea side to face Real Madrid, keen to bounce back from Saturday’s shock 4-1 loss to Brentford with a strong performance in the Champions League. However, rumours have emerged this weekend suggesting that Tuchel could be an option to coach Real Madrid from the 2022/23 season, should Carlo Ancelotti be sacked in the summer.

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This would be one of the most high-profile coaching moves ever should it happen, but is there actually anything to this report, that comes from The Telegraph?

Reasons to believe Tuchel could join Real Madrid

There are a few arguments for Tuchel to Real Madrid being plausible, not least the shaky ground Carlo Ancelotti currently finds himself on. Despite Los Blancos' strong position in LaLiga Santander, which they look likely to win, the performances haven’t been all that convincing this campaign, often relying on the brilliance of Thibaut Courtois, Vinícius and Karim Benzema. This feeling was compounded by the 4-0 hammering Real Madrid suffered in the Clasico held just before the international break.

It's worth remembering that Ancelotti was an emergency appointment last summer, made after Zinedine Zidane’s surprise resignation and after several other coaches turned Real Madrid down. Although he signed a contract until 2024, that can easily be terminated ahead of time.

So, there is a chance that there could be an opening at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu this summer. Then, in terms of prizing Tuchel away from Chelsea, the off-the-pitch turmoil at Stamford Bridge makes this more of a possibility than it would have been a few months ago. If Tuchel really wants out at Chelsea, this might be the summer to do it.

Reasons to believe Tuchel won’t join Real Madrid

There are also, however, many reasons to think that Tuchel won’t join Real Madrid. There is little reason to believe that Tuchel is desperate for an exit at the club he won the Champions League with just last year, even with all of the problems currently taking place at the Blues.

Then, there’s also the fact that Ancelotti might be allowed one more season at Real Madrid. With a Super Cup in the bag, a league title likely and the chance to progress further in the Champions League, the 2021/22 season will surely be looked back on as a positive one overall. Ancelotti doesn’t cause problems for the Real Madrid hierarchy and, at this club in particular, that’s important.

Finally, it’s worth noting that even if Real Madrid did fire Ancelotti, there are other options too besides Tuchel. Long-time target Mauricio Pochettino could be available this summer, while former players Raul and Xabi Alonso have had bright starts to their young coaching careers and the fanbase would much prefer to see either of those Spaniards in charge than Tuchel.

In conclusion, there is a slight chance of Tuchel making a dramatic switch to Real Madrid at the end of this season. But, only a slight one. Much more likely is that he remains the coach of Chelsea and that Ancelotti stays on in the Spanish capital.