Chelsea sacks head coach Thomas Tuchel 6 matches into new Premier League season

Chelsea have sacked head coach Thomas Tuchel just six matches into the new English Premier League season.

Chelsea are expected to approach Brighton later on Wednesday for permission to speak to Graham Potter about their manager vacancy. Chelsea are also keen to speak to Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane, who are both out of work.

Todd Boehly has axed Tuchel just three months after completing his takeover of the club. Boehly is still acting as sporting director having moved on director Marina Granovskaia, chairman Bruce Buck and technical and performance advisor Petr Cech this summer in a complete overhaul of the Roman Abramovich era.

Chelsea lost 1-0 in their opening Champions League group game to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night in what was Tuchel’s 100th game since joining the club in January 2021.

Chelsea sits sixth in the Premier League with 10 points.

A club statement read: “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.

“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.”

Tuchel said he was angry at himself for a ‘huge underperformance’ during the Dinamo Zagreb defeat – his final game in charge of the club – and suggested his side are currently lacking hunger and determination.