PICTURED: Sacked Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel emerges for the first time since his brutal dismissal by Todd Boehly, looking gloomy near his Surrey home (but at least he’s getting a £13m pay-out!)
- Thomas Tuchel was sensationally sacked by Chelsea on Wednesday
- The club parted ways with the German hours after their 1-0 defeat to Zagreb
- Tuchel has been tipped for a swift return to management after losing his job
Thomas Tuchel has been spotted in public for the first time since his sensational sacking as Chelsea manager.
The German, who was axed by owner Todd Boehly on Wednesday, has been pictured near his home in Oxshott, close to Chelsea’s Cobham training ground, on Thursday.
Tuchel – who is in line to receive a £13m payout, as exclusively revealed by Sportsmail – is set to be replaced by Brighton boss Graham Potter.
Potter has agreed a deal to take over at Stamford Bridge and is on the verge of signing a five-year contract.
Thomas Tuchel has been spotted out in public just 24 hours after he was sacked by Chelsea
The 49-year-old was sacked on his 100th day as manager of Chelsea following the club’s dismal 1-0 defeat away at Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League.
It is believed Stamford Bridge chiefs made the decision to part ways with Tuchel prior to the loss in Croatia.
There have been suggestions that Tuchel’s relationships with his players had deteriorated, leading to the club taking action.
Tuchel, who won the Champions League and Club World Cup during his time at Chelsea, has been tipped by the likes of West Ham boss David Moyes for a swift return to management.
Tuchel has been pictured taking a walk near to his home and Chelsea’s training ground
Several Chelsea players have paid tribute to their former boss on social media, including Reece James, Wesley Fofana and Raheem Sterling.
But at least 11 of the club’s stars are yet to post about the German more than 24 hours after he was dismissed by Chelsea.
Tuchel was sacked with Chelsea sixth in the Premier League and following their miserable start to their Champions League campaign.
He leaves having guided Chelsea to UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup glory.
The Chelsea squad appear split over Thomas Tuchel’s exit with players still remaining silent
Eleven Chelsea stars have remained silent on Tuchel’s sacking, including Hakim Ziyech
Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2021 to replace Frank Lampard and hit the ground running by winning the Champions League in six months.
Last season Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, only to lose to Liverpool on both occasions. They also finished third in the Premier League.
In his first 50 games they only conceded 24 goals and Tuchel was heralded for the impact he made.
In a bid to bridge the gap to champions Manchester City and Liverpool, Chelsea’s new ownership invested heavily in the summer, a record spend in one window for a Premier League club at more than £260million.
England international Mount posted a picture with former boss Tuchel saying ‘Thank you’
But Chelsea have made a stuttering start ahead of Saturday’s match against Fulham having already lost three times this season, all away from home at Southampton, Leeds and on Tuesday in Zagreb.
In his last 50 games they have conceded 53 goals, a sign of the breakdown defensively which is hampering their trophy prospects.
Sportsmail revealed that Tuchel is being paid £13million as a severance package, with a further £2m going to his backroom staff.
Potter has since verbally agreed terms on a contract to become Chelsea’s new manager and he is expected to take position in the dugout for Saturday’s game against Fulham. He was spotted arriving at the club’s Cobham training ground on Thursday afternoon.
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