Thomas Tuchel has revealed that he is negotiating a new Chelsea contract and that he accepts his ‘improper behaviour’ charge from the Football Association (FA).
It is the latest example of the opinion of the new Boehly-Clearlake owners who have been backing their manager in the transfer market, spending upwards of £170million with more signings to come.
Tuchel signed a last extension shortly after winning the Champions League final in July 2021 and he could now extend his deal beyond 2024.
“There are talks,” Tuchel told reporters at Cobham Training Centre. “But I think given the situation where we come from, and where we are in the middle of the transfer period, I think it is the very best if I focus on my team and on sports and on being competitive.
“My people talk to the owners and take care of everything else. You know how glad I am to be here and how much I like it. So it’s a good thing.”
Meanwhile, Tuchel was sent off and charged by the FA over the last week following unsavory scenes with Tottenham manager Antonio Conte on the final whistle.
Tuchel has laughed off any feud with Conte, after refusing to let go of his hand after the final whistle in the 2-2 draw on Sunday, focusing his rage on the officials who he believed cost his side the win.
The Chelsea boss has been given a one-match touchline ban and a £35,000 fine, though those have been temporarily suspended.
“It is a bit harder to accept given the context that two minutes before somebody on our team got pulled by the hair,” Tuchel said, speaking before the FA confirmed the ban and fine.
“If we both pulled our hair maybe we would have got away with it. For a handshake suddenly it is a red card, it was after the match and it was more passion than anything else but I accepted the charge.
“I hope like Antonio that I can be on the side-line, let’s see what happens. In general, we don’t have a history of being involved in arguments. Together we have played three or four times against each other, we had zero issues before and it just got heated up with the equaliser, 1-1 so the last 20 minutes were a bit emotional between the benches which is sometimes maybe also normal and acceptable in a derby like this.
“But I will be prepared of course. As I understand it there is a high possibility that I can travel with the team, go to the dressing room, be there in half time so I’m not always sure if everybody hears me on the side-line so maybe the impact is not bad.”
