EPL

Chelsea confirm Tuchel as Lampard successor

By Sports Desk January 26, 2021

Thomas Tuchel has been appointed Chelsea head coach following the dismissal of Frank Lampard.

Chelsea have handed former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel a contract initially until the end of next season.

The 47-year-old had been out of work since being sacked by PSG in December.

Chelsea confirmed on their official website: "Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new Chelsea head coach."

Tuchel said: "I would like to thank Chelsea FC for their confidence in me and my staff.

"We all have the greatest respect for Frank Lampard's work and the legacy he created at Chelsea. At the same time, I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to now be part of the Chelsea family - it feels amazing!"

Chelsea said there was a "possibility" of Tuchel securing an extended stay at Stamford Bridge, and director Marina Granovskaia urged him to grasp an opportunity to deliver instant success this season.

She said: "It is never easy to change head coach in the middle of the season but we are very happy to secure one of Europe's best coaches in Thomas Tuchel.

"There is still much to play for and much to achieve, this season and beyond. We welcome Thomas to the club."

Tuchel took training at Chelsea on Tuesday evening as he immediately began work with the squad.

Chelsea will be keen for Tuchel to make a quick impact on the pitch, with the Blues having let Lampard go after a run of two wins in eight Premier League matches.

They face Wolves at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday before entertaining Burnley in the top flight on Sunday.

Despite leading PSG to a first Champions League final, where they were defeated 1-0 by Bayern Munich in August, Tuchel was replaced by Mauricio Pochettino after overseeing four Ligue 1 defeats before the 2020-21 mid-season break. PSG were third, a point behind Lyon and Lille, when Tuchel was ousted.

The German won two Ligue 1 titles, the Trophee des Champions twice, the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue during his two and a half years at the helm in Paris.

Prior to that he spent two years with Dortmund, winning the DFB-Pokal in 2016-17 but failing to dethrone Bayern in the Bundesliga.

He left both his previous positions following an apparent breakdown in relations with senior leadership figures.

Tuchel had a disagreement with Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke after a Champions League game against Monaco was pushed back by just one day after the Bundesliga side's bus was attacked.

At PSG he was involved in a public dispute with sporting director Leonardo over the club's transfer policy and reportedly claimed he felt more like "a politician rather than a coach", though he later said that remark was mistranslated.

Related items

  • Fulham 3-1 Brighton: Iwobi brace the difference at Craven Cottage Fulham 3-1 Brighton: Iwobi brace the difference at Craven Cottage

    Alex Iwobi was the star of the show as his brace helped Fulham to a 3-1 victory over Brighton on Thursday.

    Iwobi capitalised on Bart Verbruggen's early error to get the home side off to a flying start at Craven Cottage.

    Carlos Baleba finished expertly after neat work from Joao Pedro to bring Brighton level in the 56th minute, but Matt O'Riley's luckless own goal restored Fulham's lead.

    And Iwobi wrapped up the points with a lovely bending effort in the closing stages to settle an entertaining contest.

    Verbruggen's careless pass was pounced on by Iwobi and he side-footed home after only four minutes before Simon Adingra shot straight at Bernd Leno when he really ought to have equalised.

    Rodrigo Muniz headed agonisingly wide on the stroke of half-time for Fulham but Baleba levelled for Brighton with an exquisite drilled finish from Joao Pedro's sublime flick into his path after 56 minutes.

    But Fulham did well to reset and Andrea Pereira's fine in-swinging corner found the bottom corner via the backside of O'Riley before Iwobi rounded out the win by cutting in from the left and bending a fine effort past the Verbruggen into the far corner with three minutes to play.

    Data Debrief: Iwobi in form as Brighton's Fulham hoodoo continues

    Iwobi was the difference-maker in what had been a very tight contest at Craven Cottage and he has now scored (3) or assisted in or assisted (2) in each of his last four Premier League appearances, his longest such run in the competition.

    This was only the second time the Nigeria international had managed to score twice in a Premier League game in what was his 267th appearance in the competition.

    Brighton, meanwhile, have now faced Fulham nine times in the Premier League and failed to beat them. The Cottagers have five wins and four draws versus the Seagulls, the most they have faced a side without losing in the competition.

    The visitors were the architects of their own downfall for the first goal and only Southampton (9) have had more errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season than Brighton (6), with Verbruggen responsible for three of those – the joint-most by a player in the competition in 2024-25.

  • Cacereno 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's side survive scare after late fightback Cacereno 1-3 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's side survive scare after late fightback

    Atletico Madrid progressed to the Copa del Rey last 32, but only after surviving a scare against fourth-tier Cacereno.

    Diego Simeone's side trailed 1-0 in the 83rd minute at Estadio Principe Felipe, after Alvario Merencio's first-half strike.

    However, the LaLiga side levelled through Clement Lenglet, before striking twice in stoppage time through Julian Alvarez and an Adri Perez own-goal.

    Julio Cobos' side were on a four-match winning streak in Group 5 of the Segunda Federacion, and took the lead on the half-hour mark, with Merencio rounding off a quick counter.

    The hosts held firm but were finally breached seven minutes from time, when Lenglet headed in from Rodrigo de Paul's cross.

    Cacereno were reduced to 10 men two minutes later with Jaime Sancho shown a second yellow card, and Atletico capitalised on their numerical advantage in stoppage time.

    De Paul's shot deflected in off Perez to complete the turnaround, while Alvarez put the tie beyond the fourth-tier outfit later on.

    Data Debrief: Late, late show spares Atletico blushes

    Atletico had won each of their last seven matches across all competitions, but they were given an almighty scare on Thursday.

    Nevertheless, Simeone's side eventually broke Cacereno's resistance, scoring three goals from the 83rd minute onwards in any competition for only the second time - also doing so against Real Zaragoza in June 2013.

  • Man City to face Juventus at revamped Club World Cup Man City to face Juventus at revamped Club World Cup

    Manchester City will launch their Club World Cup title defence against Moroccan side Wydad, while also facing Juventus in the group stage of the revamped tournament.

    Pep Guardiola's side are the reigning champions having lifted the title in 2023, following their 4-0 victory over Brazilian club Fluminense in the final.

    City are also joined by Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in Group G of the 32-team tournament in 2025, which will take place in the United States between June 15 and July 13.

    Reigning Champions League holders Real Madrid have been drawn alongside Red Bull Salzburg, Pachuca and Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal in Group H, meaning Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could be in line for a reunion.

    That duo's former club, Paris Saint-Germain, are joined by Atletico Madrid in Group B.

    Chelsea will play Flamengo, Club Leon and Esperance Sportive de Tunisie in Group D, as Bayern Munich and Benfica are paired together in Group C.

    Lionel Messi's Inter Miami were somewhat contentiously included. They won MLS' Supporters' Shield, yet were dumped out of the playoffs by Atlanta United.

    Miami will face Porto, Palmeiras and Al-Ahly in Group A.

    Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al-Ahly, Inter Miami.

    Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle Sounders.

    Group C: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Boca Juniors, Auckland City.

    Group D: Flamengo, Chelsea, Club Leon, Esperance Sportive de Tunis.

    Group E: River Plate, Inter, Monterrey, Urawa Red Diamonds.

    Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan HD, Mamelodi Sundowns.

    Group G: Man City, Juventus, Wydad AC, Al-Ain.

    Group H: Real Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg, Al-Hilal, Pachuca.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.