Thomas Tuchel returns to Chelsea for the first time since his brutal sacking for secret ‘eye-watering’ reason over two years ago
- Tuchel has attended several matches since officially starting as England manager
- He returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his acrimonious departure
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Thomas Tuchel made his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked as Chelsea manager as the new England boss won the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Tuchel officially started his role as England head coach on January 1 and has appeared at several Premier League matches this month.
The 51-year-old’s last port of call was Stamford Bridge in the final round of the Premier League on Tuesday evening.
Tuchel was seen in the stands watching a dramatic match as Chelsea and Bournemouth played out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
It was the first time Tuchel had returned to his former club since his reign was bitterly ended on September 7, 2022.
Tuchel had won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup as Chelsea boss and led the club to the finals of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Thomas Tuchel was spotted by the television cameras at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening
Tuchel made his first return to Chelsea after being sacked in September 2022
The German coach had led Chelsea to their second Champions League victory in 2021
He was sacked the morning after a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, on what was the 100th day of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership of the club.
Tuchel had revealed to Mail Sport in 2023 that he was ‘shocked’ by his abrupt departure from the club, with the meeting to confirm his dismissal lasting just three minutes.
talkSPORT presenter and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan claimed there were secret off-field problems behind his departure.
‘There’s a lot more behind the scenes of Tuchel that would make most people’s eyes water as to why Todd Boehly made that decision and it wasn’t just a case of losing against Dinamo Zagreb, it was a case of a whole series of other things – that’s Todd Boehly’s gift for telling people what that is,” Jordan said on talkSPORT in 2023.
‘But it opened my eyes and I would have done exactly what Todd Boehly did, which was ‘you can go mate’.’
Last year it was reported that Tuchel would receive a warm welcome upon his return to Stamford Bridge in his new capacity as England manager.
Tuchel could become a regular at Stamford Bridge, while Chelsea have a number of potential suitors for their England squad.
England internationals Levi Colwill, Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke all started for Blues on Tuesday night, while 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong also made Enzo Maresca’s side.
Tuchel watched as Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth
However, Chelsea needed a late free-kick from Reece James to rescue a point against the Cherries
Tuchel, pictured at Wolves, has played several games since starting as England manager
Fullback Reece James, who played under Tuchel at Chelsea, also came on in the second half.
James scored an injury-time equalizer from a free-kick, while Palmer had opened the scoring for the Blues in the first half.
Chelsea were forced to bounce back after Justin Kluivert’s penalty and Antoine Semenyo strike had given Bournemouth the lead in the second half.
The draw extended Chelsea’s run of five games without a win in the Premier League.
James, who has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, highlighted that after the England game, he last played for the Three Lions in March 2023.
“I’ve worked under him, he knows my capabilities,” James said when asked about Tuchel’s presence.