"No idea about football" - Todd Boehly & Chelsea owners slammed for Thomas Tuchel sacking

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has been slammed by Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel for the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. 

The new owners, Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital and Co, opted to relieve the 49-year-old of his duties as Chelsea head coach on Wednesday morning following their 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.

After completing their takeover of Chelsea at the end of May, Boehly and Co believed Tuchel was not the head coach to lead them into the future of the new era at Stamford Bridge. 

Tuchel was sacked after managing his 100th game in charge, which ended in defeat, after winning the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup. 

Despite the declining performances and results since the start of the season, it was a decision which was not based on results. 

It was a decision which surprised many, just days after the transfer window closed which saw Chelsea spend in excess of £270 million to sack Tuchel. But the new owners decided ahead of time that they would dismiss the German prior to the defeat in Croatia. 

A statement was released thanking Tuchel for his contribution to Chelsea: “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.”

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But it has been a decision that has left the fanbase split, as well as outside critics. Tuchel, formerly of Bundesliga side Mainz, has been backed by their sporting director Christian Heidel who has labelled Boehly and the new owners as people who have ‘no idea about football’. 

He told BILD, as quoted by 90min: "The sacking is grist to the mill of those who are against investors in football. It was purely an investor’s decision.

"Someone who has no idea about football probably thought that sixth place wasn’t good enough for him and said: ‘Then let’s try another coach.’ After only six games, I can’t think of any other reason. But Chelsea will bitterly regret this decision – they won’t get such a good coach again so quickly."

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Chelsea have decided to replace Tuchel with Graham Potter on a long-term contract, with the owners showing faith in their long-term project by appointing the 47-year-old on a five-year deal. 

He has been given his targets for the season - a top four finish - but even if he doesn’t reach them, his job will not be in any doubt come the end of the season. A change of approach at Stamford Bridge, but Tuchel will no longer be part of that.