'Devastated' Tuchel breaks his silence after Chelsea axe

Thomas Tuchel has revealed his devastation at Chelsea's decision to sack him earlier this week. 

After an indifferent start to the season, Tuchel's last game in charge of the Blues was the 1-0 Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday night. 

That abject performance was swiftly followed by the axe the next morning, with Tom Boehly and Co deciding a change of management was needed to transform the side's fortunes. 

Graham Potter was swiftly appointed on a five-year deal on Thursday after Chelsea's new owners agreed to buy the Englishman out of his Brighton contract. 

And Tuchel, who led the Londoners to Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup glory, has now broken his silence about his abrupt departure. 

The German tactician tweeted: "This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to write — and it is one I hoped I would not need to do for many years. 

"I am devastated that my time at Chelsea has come to an end. This is a club where I felt at home, both professionally and personally. 

"Thank you so much to all the staff, the players and the supporters for making me feel very welcome from the start. 

"The pride and joy I felt at helping the team to win the Champions League and the Club World Cup will stay with me forever. 

"I am honoured to have been a part of this club’s history and the memories of the last 19 months will always have a special place in my heart."

Tuchel, 49, replaced Chelsea legend Frank Lampard in the Stamford Bridge hotseat in January 2021. 

He led them to Champions League glory just months later before picking up the Super Cup and Club World Cup last season. 

Tuchel's reign also saw the Blues lose three finals, twice in the FA Cup and once in the Carabao Cup. 

But the former Paris Saint-Germain manager will be fondly remembered for guiding Chelsea with distinction when former owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned, leaving many to question whether the club would even remain in business. 

And after being heavily backed in the transfer market this summer, it appeared he had the full backing of the new powerbrokers at the Bridge. 

However, with results not as expected and the team underperforming on the pitch, his spell in the dugout was cut short in brutal fashion. 

Potter, meanwhile, has been promised time to deliver success — yet Chelsea fans would not be shocked to also see his stay end prematurely.

They became used to the Abramovich regime regularly replacing managers and it appears Boehly will act with the same ruthlessness when deemed necessary.