Antonio Rudiger surprised at Chelsea’s sacking of Thomas Tuchel

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By Martin Graham | 22nd Sep 2022

Antonio Rudiger says the speed at which Chelsea sacked Thomas Tuchel surprised him. The German defender said he called to thank his compatriot for everything.

Since the sanctions on Roman Abramovich and Chelsea, the Blues have been going through a torrid time. The upheaval that followed the sanctions derailed the Stamford Bridge side on many levels, and the struggle to get the team back on track has refused to abate.

The sale of Chelsea followed a bidding process that stretched for a while before Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought it for over four billion pounds. Since the sale, it has been a rebuilding process at Stamford Bridge.

Some of the rebuilding at Chelsea has seen a couple of changes in personnel and management style. Todd Boehly has been at the head of the transfer discussions, hoping he can steer the club in the direction that would bring them success. One of them is the sacking of Thomas Tuchel. Even former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was taken aback by the decision to let the German go.

Rudiger was surprised at Tuchel’s sack

Chelsea missed a great defender in Antonio Rudiger. The German defensive stalwart left on a free transfer to Real Madrid this summer after deciding to call time on his Chelsea career. The Germany international confessed that he was taken aback by the decision to sack Thomas Tuchel. Rudiger questioned the timing, especially following a busy transfer window.

The writing was on the wall as it seemed that Tuchel was losing the plot at Stamford Bridge. The signs were ominous, suggesting Tuchel was walking a tightrope. The loss away to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League was the last straw, with Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital deciding to relieve the German of his duties.

In a move that suggested that the sacking was already in the pipeline, Graham Potter took over the reins from Tuchel. Tuchel’s reign at Chelsea lasted 18 months, in which he took the club to six finals and won the Champions League.

Rudiger questions the sacking of Tuchel

Antonio Rudiger was part of the Chelsea team that won the 2021 Champions League, where the Blues beat Manchester City 1-0. The victory came a few months into his reign, and it was to herald the beginning of another dynasty. The dream was cut short following a poor start to the season.

Rudiger was not a favourite of Frank Lampard, but Tuchel threw Rudiger into the limelight, and he shone brightly, earning him a lucrative move to the Spanish capital. Rudiger, who has established himself as one of Europe’s leading central defenders, has questioned the sacking of Thomas Tuchel.

In a chat with Sport 1, Rudiger opined that the club allowed Tuchel to bring in new players only to release him after a few games. He claimed surprise at the speed of the sacking. Perhaps it was Boehly trying to rid the club of the old guard.

Rudiger claims he was sad when Tuchel lost his job. The German defender said he wrote to him afterwards, thanking him for everything.