Thomas Tuchel dedicated Chelsea’s Club World Cup triumph to Roman Abramovich.
An extra time penalty from Kai Havertz secured a 2-1 victory against Brazilians Palmeiras, which saw Tuchel deliver the one major trophy the club’s owner was yet to win.
The Russian billionaire congratulated his manager on the pitch afterwards - echoing the scenes from last season’s Champions League Final when the pair met for the first time.
And Tuchel was quick to thank Abramovich, whose money has taken Chelsea to the top of the world.
“It is good for him,” said the German. “We met shortly on the pitch after the final and I said ‘congrats’ and he said ‘congrats’ to me.
“I said, ‘It is for you and it is your club. Your input and passion that made it possible.’ The trophy is for him.”
Abramovich watched on in Abu Dhabi as two of his biggest investments scored the goals that made Chelsea champions.
Romelu Lukaku’s second half header fired them in front, before Raphael Veiga’s spot kick levelled the score.
The game went to extra time and looked to be heading for a shoot out before Havertz’ strike with three minutes to go.
Tuchel had only made it out to meet up with his squad on Friday night after a desperate race to post two negative Covid tests.
He revealed there were several occasions when he thought he would miss the chance to watch his side win a third major trophy under his watch, following the Champions League and the European Super Cup.
He said: “I was several times on my way to the airport and on my way back as I was called back as the test was negative (positive). Finally we made it and I finally arrived for dinner on Friday.
“I was back and forth and we were running out of flights and we knew there was a deadline and I took the second to last chance to make it. The last one would have been to arrive today and I am happy we made it.”
Tuchel had been overseeing Chelsea’s preparations from back home in England.
He added: “The semi-final, I was walking up and down in my office and had a tactical signal to see the big pitch and then a normal screen. I had two big screens and was in contact with my bench.
“It was not nice to watch the semi-final in the office on a screen and I am happy all the effort was worth it and we managed to get the cup.”
