According to reports in Germany, Chelsea are lining up former Borussia Dortmund manager Thomas Tuchel to replace Antonio Conte.
Relations have been stressed between Conte and the Chelsea board all summer over the lack of transfers andthe Diego Costa situation.
According to SportBild, Roman Abramovich and his senior adviser Marina Granovskaia have decided that Conte’s reign as Chelsea manager has to end after Granovskaia’s relationship with the 48-year-old deteriorated.
The newspaper claims that Tuchel, who has been out of work since leaving Dortmund at the end of last season is “interested” in the job and that Tuchel has met with Granovskaia.
Tuchel has also won far less than Conte, although of course that may mean he feels he has more to prove than the former Juventus manager.
It would seem an extraordinary decision for Chelsea to dispose of Conte this early, especially given his relationship with the club’s fans. But Abramovich and Granovskaia have little room for sentiment—possibly why Chelsea has remained a consistent winner through consistent upheaval. Even after last season, Conte looks like he may be on borrowed time.
Abramovich has shown a ruthlessness in dismissing managers in the past. Jose Mourinho was sacked twice, while Roberto Di Matteo was sacked less than six months after winning the Champions League
Yes, managers have come and gone and frequently and success has remained under Roman Abramovich but hooking Conte may even be a step too far for the notoriously expectant owner.
What do you think Chelsea fans? Is it too soon to be talking about firing a manager who just won the title?