Thomas Tuchel said he was devastated after being sacked as manager of Chelsea following a poor start to the season. The 49-year-old German was given the boot last Wednesday, the day after his team suffered a shock 1-0 defeat away to Dinamo Zagreb in their opening game of this season’s Champions League.
“This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to write, and it is one which I hoped I would not need to do for many years. I am devastated that my time at Chelsea has come to an end,” Tuchel wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “This is a club where I felt at home, both professionally and personally.”
Tuchel made an instant impact when he replaced Frank Lampard in January 2021, reviving the team’s Premier League season and taking them to the Champions League final where they beat Manchester City.
“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,” Tuchel said.
“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.” Chelsea announced on Thursday they had appointed Brighton & Hove Albion boss Graham Potter as their new manager to replace Tuchel.
Potter said the vision showcased by Chelsea’s new ownership had convinced him to take charge of the London club. “It’s the start of a really exciting period, I think,” Potter said in an interview with the club’s website published on Monday. The 47-year-old said his move to the six-time English champions represented a forward step in his career.
Juventus game ends in chaos
Leonardo Bonucci scored a stoppage-time equaliser as Juventus fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home with Salernitana but Massimiliano Allegri’s side were denied a late winner by VAR in a chaotic end to their Serie A clash on Sunday.
Juventus, who recorded their fourth draw in six Serie A games this season, thought they had snatched all three points when substitute Arkadiusz Milik headed home in the 94th minute but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review for offside.
Milik was sent off for a second yellow card after taking his shirt off in a premature celebration, along with teammate Juan Cuadrado and Salernitana’s Federico Fazio who were involved in a confrontation as tempers flared between the teams in a prolonged melee.
The draw left Juventus eighth in the table on 10 points. The visitors took the lead in the 18th minute when Pasquale Mazzocchi’s cross from the edge of the six-yard box found midfielder Antonio Candreva who converted with his body from close range.
Juve striker Dusan Vlahovic found the back of the net 20 minutes later but he was flagged for offside. Krzysztof Piatek made it 2-0 to Salernitana from the spot just before half-time, sending keeper Mattia Perin the wrong way after the visitors were awarded a penalty when Gleison Bremer blocked Piatek’s strike with his hand. (Reuters)
