Football: Chelsea appoints Thomas Tuchel as manager following Lampard sacking

Thursday, January 28, 2021 

On Tuesday, English football club Chelsea appointed Thomas Tuchel as their new manager after the club sacked Frank Lampard on Monday.

Tuchel had previously managed German club Borussia Dortmund and then, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). At PSG, Tuchel helped the club win two league titles, Coupe de France (French Cup), and Coupe de la Ligue (French League Cup). He also guided PSG to the UEFA Champions League final last season. Tuchel is the first German to manage Chelsea.

In a statement, Tuchel said “I cannot wait to meet my new team and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to be part of the Chelsea family”. Right after his appointment, Chelsea faced Wolverhampton Wanderers, which ended in a 0–0 draw.

Although Tuchel has to self-quarantine for five days on entering the UK, the English Football Association granted him an exception to attend matches as well as the training sessions, if the German was tested negative for COVID-19 before entering the country.

Lampard was sacked the day before due a decline in form in the league. At the time of Lampard’s sacking, Chelsea were ninth in the Premier League, winning only two of the last eight matches.

Tuchel signed an 18-month contract with option for an additional year.