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Thomas Tuchel has been accused of disrespecting the FA Cup after he and his Chelsea players turned up in tracksuits rather than suits for the final.
The Blues boss kept it casual - as did his players - as they arrived at Wembley, before they lost 1-0 to Leicester City. Afterwards, Tuchel's lack of effort with his attire was branded disgraceful by ex-Manchester United striker Andy Cole and Arsenal legend Perry Groves.
"I'm not having a lack of awareness," said Cole about Tuchel on talkSPORT. "If he's watched an FA Cup, which no doubt he has, come on."
"I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt - but it's a lack of respect," said Groves.
Sports reporter Ade Oladipo added: "Tracksuits?! Come on! You wear a suit, everyone takes a photo...
"It's a disgrace. Because in everyone's head, the FA Cup is slowly but surely losing its place in our English hearts - not mine, but for a lot of people - and he [Tuchel] did that to the FA Cup."
Cole, who won the FA Cup twice with Man United, emphasised: "I'm not messing about. When I got to [an FA Cup final], I couldn't wait to get my suit. I'm thinking like I'm a kid, watching it on TV."
Brendan Rodgers was suited and booted on the touchline as he watched Youri Tielemans' spectacular strike give his side a victory, while his players also arrived at Wembley in suits.
But plenty of football fans couldn't seem to care less about what clothing a manager chooses to wear, with some pointing out that Frank Lampard - Tuchel's predecessor at Chelsea - and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta did not wear suits for last season's FA Cup final.
Fa Cup final, last year. pic.twitter.com/gXn9wqG97U
- Bowiee (@Bowiee1717) May 16, 2021
He's a football manager not an accountant
- Nathan Vaughan (@NathanV64893820) May 16, 2021
In context of the FA Cup final tradition of years gone by the lads are spot on. :muscle:
- Khan Cohen (@CohenKhan) May 16, 2021
Completely agree! Teams should treat the FA cup final with the respect it deserves, I'd be embarrassed turning up in a tracksuit ♂️ https://t.co/WZpj8STgwQ
- Josh Johnson (@25JoshJohnson) May 16, 2021
However the talkSPORT pundits are clearly not alone in their views, as Arsenal great Ian Wright also confessed he was supporting Leicester on the day due to Chelsea's informal attire.
"I don't like to see people turning up to the FA Cup in tracksuits," he said on the BBC's live coverage of the game, per SunSport. "It's not what this game is about, we saw all the lead-up, the suits is what it is about.
"Leicester, I'm so pleased. That's why I'm supporting Leicester, they're respecting it.
"You've got to wear suits to the final, this is the day!"
Do you think managers and players disrespecting FA Cup tradition by failing to wear a suit to the final?
Let us know in the comments.
All imagery: PA Images
Topics: Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel, FA Cup