Thomas Tuchel has been a ‘breath of fresh air’ for Chelsea, says Joe Cole

Joe Cole believes Thomas Tuchel’s achievements in his first year at Chelsea are comparable to those of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge.

The German marks 12 months in the job on Wednesday and has already delivered Champions League success for the second time in the club’s history.

Though Chelsea have struggled to keep pace with Manchester City in the Premier League this season, they are into the Carabao Cup final and also won the UEFA Super Cup.

The German coach marks 12 months in the job on Wednesday and has received praise

And former Chelsea midfielder Cole has been thoroughly impressed by the impact Tuchel has made on the club since replacing Frank Lampard in January last year.

He told The Sun: ‘Barring Mourinho’s first spell, he has had the biggest impact of anyone managing Chelsea. He is universally loved and respected by everyone at the training ground.

‘He is a breath of fresh air. Winning the Champions League is an incredible achievement but it is also about the way he has come in.

‘Chelsea is a very successful club but it can be turbulent. A lot of managers can buckle under that pressure — even experienced ones.

‘But the way the players have responded to him has been great. You couldn’t have envisaged a better first year in charge. Thomas is a very smart man who recognised the quality players straight away.

Former Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has been impressed by Tuchel’s work at Stamford Bridge

Cole compared Tuchel’s impact to that of Jose Mourinho, who won the Premier League title during his first season as Chelsea manager

‘But he also recognised the soul and style of the club; he understands the history of the club. He gets it.’

Tuchel’s reign started with a goalless draw at home to Wolves and they sat eighth in the Premier League table at the time.

But they gained some momentum and ultimately would finish the season in fourth, pipping Leicester City to the final Champions League place by a solitary point.

Chelsea were beaten by Leicester in the FA Cup final at Wembley but that was more than compensated for when they beat Man City 1-0 to win the Champions League in Porto.

It’s exactly one year since Thomas Tuchel was appointed Chelsea manager, the day after Frank Lampard was fired, and had a socially distanced unveiling with Marina Granovskaia 

The German cracks open the champagne in the dressing room after the win over Man City

Tuchel’s team beat Villarreal on penalties in August to claim the Super Cup and have the opportunity to win the FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi next month.

They play Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on February 27 and are again on course for a top four finish, even if the title looks beyond them with 10 points to make up to leaders City.