When Thomas Tuchel acknowledged Chelsea's suppoters in the stands of Stadion Maksimir, few people knew it would be for the last time. Even those calling for his head amid faltering performances and frustrated press conferences perhaps did not expect the call so soon, just one week following the end of the transfer window.
In defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, Tuchel was frustrated with himself as much as the team. The German coach described himself as being 'in the wrong movie' and it appears new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly agreed.
The American was in attendance for Chelsea Champions League clash, though the result doesn't necessarily appear to be what has forced him into the decision. Within the club's statement the ownership group suggest that as they reach 100 days in charge the time was right for transition.
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Tuchel had just reached his 100th match. His first 50 matches saw 31 clean sheets, while within his second 50, he managed only 18. The Blues recorded 32 wins and 11 draws in the initial stint before 28 wins and 13 draws in the latter. The last seven matches have perhaps been the most unconvincing of all, however, with three away defeats already this season.
Circumstances have not been simple, with Tuchel's initial momentum lost in a period of injuries and Covid, before sanctions ultimately hit the club and the Blues limped to the end of the season. Even in the aftermath of Chelsea's takeover, things have been far from simple.
Better and more cohesive performances will have been expected, but the Blues had to deal with losing a crucial figure in the form of Antonio Rudiger, and have seen a great deal of squad turnover with additions in the form of Kalidou Koulibaly, Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana and on transfer deadline day, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria.
While Tuchel's job title is head coach, the German saw an increased involvement in transfers as Boehly took on the role of interim sporting director and the likes of Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia departed Stamford Bridge. He had a role in Boehly's investment of in excess of £270million.
It must be said, however, despite such spending, few would have looked as Chelsea as a real contender, they were in transition already. Tuchel had shown little to convince that he could get the team playing a good tune so far this season but he had also only had one full day of training with Aubameyang - a player seemingly signed to placate Tuchel in a sense. Much was made of the duo's relationship at Borussia Dortmund.
With a multifaceted role, many would have expected a degree of security for Tuchel. Instead, much like in the transfer window Boehly, has given himself another major Chelsea decision to make early in his tenure, with no sporting director to help aid the decision.
There have been many changes throughout the club in the first 100 days of the new ownership, both on the frontline and behind the scenes. The results of the decisions will rest firmly on Boehly's shoulders with nobody to answer to other than supporters.
The quality of players signed should be able to function under a new coach and new plans but tearing up the script so soon could not have been in Boehly's initial thinking. The club want to set up a base for long term work and long term plans.
For the moment, however, the new boss appears the same in his philosophy as the old one.
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