Matt Law gave an interview an hour or so ago I just saw. It offers quite a bit of further insight. Apparently, the ownership group was. VERY willing to embrace Tuchel when they took over, but they had a vision of him embracing a “different culture” at Chelsea. And Tuchel apparently didn’t like it … at all. Being involved in WhatsApp meetings over transfers with multiple people, being in a more collaborative environment, being asked to explain “why” he made a certain decision.
Matt said some Chelsea managers in the past have longed for that sort of thing. But Tuchel just wants to coach on the pitch and actually preferred the isolation he had under the previous regime. He apparently only really had to talk to two people outside his players and staff. Which is fair, if that’s what Tuchel prefers, the new group isn’t what he signed up for <—Matt’s point.
On the flip side, the Clearlake group have apparently spent a TON of time trying to build relationships throughout every level of the club, and that structure or culture is important to them. They’ve hit every detail, down to how the non football staff are included and treated. They became frustrated with Tuchels unwillingness to be part of what they are building. Which is also fair… it is their team. If they want Tuchel involved in things like the “game plans” Academy players now get for mapping a possible path to the first team, then that’s what they want from their manager.<— also Matt’s point.
Frustrations grew, and both sides felt undermined to a degree. Law says Boehly and Tuchel had not met or really spoken since the Leeds defeat. Boehly went behind Tuchels back on both Broja and Gilmour apparently, with Broja deciding to stay. But Matt thinks the decision to move away from Tuchel was essentially made back then. It was just a matter of figuring out what they wanted to do.
Apparently, while it surprised him, Tuchel took it very well. He may not think this the right squad for him to be with anymore either.
Whether fair or not, Tuchel is a tactical genius who simply doesn’t care about long term projects, or integrating youth with a plan, or working collaboratively. He doesn’t want to explain his thinking on decisions, and probably doesn’t think he should have to.
It was about 45 minutes. You can find it on YouTube. What I took away from it was they were naive in thinking they could convince Tuchel to be something he’s not. And if they were starting from scratch, neither party would choose the other.
If I had an experienced squad that just could t get over that last hump, I’d go search out Tuchel in a heartbeat.
But Potter (if it’s him) would suit this team and ownership MUCH more.
Throughout the interview I kept picturing Tuchel looking at Boehly like a grumpier, fat version of Ted Lasso, and sneering anytime he asked what he considered a dumb question.
