Thomas Tuchel already aware of Chelsea sack threat

Paul Macdonald

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:45 CDT
• 3 min read

New Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel says he is fully aware Chelsea will not hesitate to sack him if he does not get the club back fighting for trophies.

Tuchel will hope to earn his first Chelsea win on Sunday when the Blues host Burnley in the Premier League.

They drew 0-0 with Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in his first match after replacing Frank Lampard.

Managing director Marina Granovskaia has told Tuchel he must get the team competing to win the biggest silverware to keep his job.

‘Oh, why 18 months?’

Former Paris Saint-Germain coach Tuchel admitted he was initially concerned about only being offered an 18-month contract, with the option for a further year.

But he then decided to accept it because a long deal would have been no guarantee of avoiding the axe.

Tuchel said: “I want to be very honest with you, at first it was a concern, I was a little like ‘Oh, why 18 months?’

“And after one minute I thought, ‘What does it change?’

“If they give me four-and-a-half years, they [could] sack me – if they are not happy with me, they will sack me anyway.

“If they gave me four-and-a-half years and put in a clause that, when they sack me, they don’t pay me.

“Where can I be sure that I am there four and a half years? You cannot. That is the truth at this level.

“What is the role right now of the coaches? Are we in charge of the whole team and the transfers as well, or not, are we totally free in everything we do or not?

“Are we only responsible for bad results or also good results? What is this role and where do we find ourselves in that?

“So I decided not to worry too much, be brave enough to take on this adventure, because it was absolutely clear that I want to do it and I don’t want to miss the chance.”

Tuchel: Nothing to be afraid of

Chelsea have a history of sacking managers and have been honest with Tuchel, but that does not fill the former Paris Saint-Germain boss with fear.

READ MORE: ‘Tuchel more suited to Chelsea than Lampard’

He added: “It’s also my character to believe more in the chances than the risks.

“There is absolutely, for me personally, nothing to be afraid of. I’m very grateful to do this job at this level and I don’t want to waste my time thinking about risks.

“[Granovskaia] told me very clearly that when you sign for Chelsea you have to win trophies. Well, not that you have to win, but you have to compete for them.

“This club is about competing to win the most difficult competitions: the Premier League and Champions League. That’s absolutely no secret.”

Tuchel: Managers who win titles get sacked

The German added: “There are even managers who won titles and have been sacked.

“You have one sat in front of you – it happened to me around Christmas, winning some titles and being sacked.

“In the end, I think what everyone is looking for is a nice guy, a hard guy, a trophy-winning guy who is funny and good looking, but that does not exist.

“So, I hope I am that guy who can [bring the right] characteristics for an era and a certain period at this club.

“It already means a lot to me because I have had three of my best days ever as a manager coming here. I hope this continues for longer but the demands are high.”