Thomas Tuchel has decided that he will not leave Chelsea despite the club being sanctioned due to their owner, Roman Abramovich.
It was announced on Thursday that the UK Government has sanctioned the Stamford Bridge outfit which means Abramovich’s plans to sell the club have now been frozen.
The news comes as the UK looks to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has ties with Abramovich.
The Blues have, as a result, been given a contract ban and are not able to sign players or negotiate contracts, which means that several key stars are now expected to depart at the end of the season.
The Telegraph has now revealed that former Paris Saint-Germain boss Tuchel wants to remain at Chelsea despite the sanctions and is not focused on the implications of the bans that have been imposed.
The report goes on to state that six sides have registered an interest in acquiring Tuchel, who some thought would consider leaving the London club, including Manchester United.
PSG’s Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag look like the two leading candidates to succeed Ralf Rangnick in the summer, but the opportunity to appoint one of the top managers in Europe appeared to be good of an opening to pass up on.
Chelsea are continuing to operate under a special licence until the 31st of May, though if the Government decides to strengthen its grip on the club then it remains to be seen whether Tuchel has a change of heart.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher wrote on Thursday about how United must urge Tuchel to jump ship and head to the Red Devils.
In his column for The Telegraph, he wrote: “Given the events at Chelsea, United’s decision to wait until the end of the season presents them with a choice no-one could have foreseen. One of the best managers in the world – the current FIFA coach of the year – must be top of their list.
“Tuchel, like everyone else at Stamford Bridge, will have no idea what the future holds at his current club. No one can offer him any assurances about how the squad will look at the start of next season given the club’s sale is on hold.
“No manager wants to be working amid such a background of uncertainty. If he gets the chance to leave for a club of United’s stature, he must take it.
“United can offer him the security and backing every top coach craves. Yes, it will seem a predatory move – taking advantage of Chelsea’s crisis – but from United and Tuchel’s perspective the more you consider it, the more of a no-brainer it is.”
With Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all out of contract at the end of the season, the Blues are expected to be short of depth in central defence and their ban means that new recruits are not a possibility at this stage.
Tuchel is believed to have insisted that he ‘loves’ the club, but these testing and ever-changing circumstances will prove an incredibly big test for the manager.
