Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has lifted the lid on what life has been like for him at Stamford Bridge so far since replacing Frank Lampard back in January.
Chelsea
head coach Thomas Tuchel has highlighted the differences between managing in
the Premier League and Ligue 1, admitting that life in England is proving to be
“brutal.”
Tuchel was
sacked by French giants Paris Saint-Germain back in December but only had to
wait a matter of weeks before making a return to the dugout, succeeding Frank
Lampard at Stamford Bridge towards the end of January.
Although
the likeable German had never managed in England before, he has wasted little
time in making an impact, losing just two of his first 23 games in charge.
It
is form like that which has seen Chelsea cement themselves as strong
contenders to lead the race to secure the final top-four berth in the Premier
League, reach the FA Cup final and be just 90 minutes away from securing a spot
in the UEFA Champions League final, an achievement Tuchel secured
last season at PSG.
But
although the former Borussia Dortmund boss has enjoyed a flying start to life
in west London, he has admitted that he has found the transition from French
football to English football challenging.
“To
go from Ligue 1 to the Premier League? It’s brutal, honestly. Very brutal,”
Tuchel told L’Equipe as quoted by Le10
Sport.
“In
France, we played the same number of matches, two cups and there are also 20
teams in the Championship. But the intensity and challenge of the Championship
are really very different here. It’s a completely different level.
“It’s
pretty ruthless, it keeps you on your own and it makes you get up early in the
morning. There is simply no time to breathe. There is not too much time to sit
down, to be relaxed or comfortable.
“Everyone
is on the front line. Players are aware of these challenges and requirements.
They are up to the task of recovering, in their approach to their work, during
the time they spend here at the club.
“Everyone
at the club is aware of what it takes to be in shape. That’s why it’s
impressive.
“We
arrive at every game with the knowledge and deep conviction that we are
perfectly prepared for this and that we can perform at the highest level and
adapt.”
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