Bursting back into the Estádio do Dragão dressing room spraying bubbly from a bottle over his squad, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel unleashed his emotions.
Key points:
- Head coach Thomas Tuchel celebrates a championship after just 30 matches of being in charge
- It is the club’s second Champions League title, with echoes of the 2012 triumph
- In their first meeting since his hiring, Tuchel told boss Roman Abramovich that he will “stay hungry” because he is determined to get “the next title” too
Losing Champions League finalist last season. Fired by Paris Saint-Germain in December. A Champions League winner six months later with Chelsea.
What a whirlwind year it’s been for the 47-year-old German. It took 123 days from his hiring by Chelsea to meet club owner Roman Abramovich. It was timed to perfection — after beating Manchester City 1-0 in the Champions League final on Saturday night.
“It was the best moment for the first meeting because now on it can only get worse. We will speak tomorrow,” Tuchel said.
There’s a contract to talk about.
Managers at Chelsea aren’t known for their longevity. Not even saved by his status as a club playing great, Lampard lasted only 18 months. Tuchel only got an 18-month contract from Abramovich.
“I think we are pragmatic in our choices,” the Russian billionaire told Forbes magazine in March.
“And we are comfortable making the right changes at the right time to ensure we can achieve our long-term ambitions.”
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The ambitions when Tuchel arrived seemed to be more modest — just return Chelsea to the top four.
Champions League qualification was sealed last Sunday despite a season-ending Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.
But there was also the setback of losing the FA Cup final to Leicester City the previous week.
Tuchel was left celebrating his 30th match in charge with the club’s record signing from the summer transfer window, German young gun Kai Havertz, scoring the only goal in Porto.
It sealed Chelsea’s second Champions League title with echoes of the 2012 triumph that was also overseen by a mid-season appointee.
AP: Pierre Philippe Marcou/Pool
)Tuchel will be hoping to last longer than Roberto Di Matteo, who was fired by Abramovich six months later.
“I can assure him that I will stay hungry, that I want the next title and I feel absolutely happy, as a part of a really ambitious club, a strong part of a strong group,” Tuchel said.
“That suits my belief and my passion about football in the moment perfectly.
“So my desire is to go for more victories, to grow as a coach and to push the group on the first day of the next season to the limit.
“We have work to do to close the gap, and this is what I’m all about. And so it will be nice to meet him a bit closer.”
AP
