For a month, Thomas Tuchel has barely been out of work, and he finds himself on the verge of a new career at a big club.
The German tactician was the target of Paris Saint-high Germain’s standards and had a tense relationship with sports director Leonardo. It made for a toxic mix, combined with a dismal start to the season, that ultimately saw him leave his post.
In the Premier League, he is currently set to take care of Chelsea, being the principal benefactor of the Stamford Bridge club’s sacking of Frank Lampard.
Of course, it is a challenge, but as he follows his mentor’s footsteps, Jurgen Klopp, it is one that Tuchel will accept.
Although he made the Klopp fashion move from Mainz to Dortmund, his first step out of Germany was different as he transferred to Ligue 1 instead of the Premier League. Klopp, however, remains in charge of the Anfield side, wherein 2015 he took over.
After just two and a half years, Tuchel left PSG. That’s not to say that in France he flopped. The 47-year-old won four of the top six national titles and led Les Parisiens to the Champions League’s first final.
It would be mistaken to say that Thomas Tuchel is, as he has always been considered, the second coming of Jurgen Klopp.
The pair deploying their teams has parallels, but there is little doubt that Tuchel prefers a more careful, possession-oriented game than his mentor. On the counterattack, his sides are not as explosive and usually tend to dictate the game, even though they eventually attack and score many goals.
It is a mouth-watering prospect for fans of the club, considering the toolset at his disposal at Stamford Bridge.
For Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, two high-profile Bundesliga summer arrivals who have struggled to find their feet in England, it should come as a tonic. If Tuchel can unlock this pair’s talent, Chelsea will be soaring.
The 47-year-old has won 165 of the 234 games he has handled over his two spells with Dortmund and PSG, explaining why he has so easily found work with another big squad.
He will arrive at Chelsea more mature and readier than ever to succeed on the big stage after juggling capricious players’ demands and challenging management at PSG.
