Thomas Tuchel Breaks Silence On Jose Mourinho
Sacking By Tottenham
The experienced Portuguese head coach was
dismissed by Spurs chairman Daniel Levy after 17 months at the helm, with the
club having endured a torrid run of form since the turn of the year.
Mourinho leaves Tottenham occupying seventh
place in the Premier League table, five points adrift of fourth-placed West Ham
United with six games remaining.
Former Spurs midfielder Ryan Mason will take
charge until the end of the campaign, with Wednesday evening's home match
against Southampton set to be his first test in the dugout.
RB Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann is the early
favourite to succeed Mourinho on a permanent basis ahead of next season.
Tuchel, who has transformed Chelsea's fortunes
since taking over the reins from Frank Lampard in January, revealed on Monday
afternoon that he was left surprised by Levy's decision.
"I am always a little bit surprised when it
happens," the 47-year-old told a press conference.
"We are all competitors and try to beat
each other but in the end we hope a manager is in a good place to work.
"So when it happens, it never feels good
as a manager. But it's not my job to comment but it is what it is.
"Everyone fights hard for results and
when a big decision comes, it was a surprise. I didn't see it coming but I
wasn't focusing too much on their situation."
Reports have suggested that a primary factor
in Mourinho's sacking was a notable sense of discontent within the Spurs
dressing room.
A number of players were said to have grown
tired of the 58-year-old's negative tactics and attitude towards dealing with
players such as Gareth Bale and Dele Alli.
Speaking in the immediate aftermath of Monday's news, Levy
thanked Mourinho for his efforts and expressed regret that the former
Manchester United manager's appointment ultimately proved to be a step back for
the north London club.
"Jose and his coaching staff have been
with us through some of our most challenging times as a Club," Levy told
the club website.
"Jose is a true professional who showed
enormous resilience during the pandemic. On a personal level I have enjoyed
working with him and regret that things have not worked out as we both had
envisaged.
"He will always be welcome here and we
should like to thank him and his coaching staff for their contribution."
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