Given the coinciding timing of the kickoffs, the juxtaposition could not have been more clear. Thomas Tuchel, sacked by Chelsea on Sept. 7, led his new team, Bayern Munich, to a 4-1 blowout victory over Borussia Dortmund.
Meanwhile Chelsea fell, at home, to Aston Villa 2-0. The two matches kicked off at the same time on Saturday, which naturally invited a reflection in the fateful decision made by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly this fall.
Thomas Tuchel on being fired by Chelsea:
‘It was a shock. The meeting only lasted 2-5 minutes at eight in the morning. We all thought we were on the right track and had more time to build something’
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 31, 2023
Liverpool vs Chelsea FYIs
Kick off: 8pm GMT, Tues Apr 4, Stamford Bridge, London
Team News: Chelsea Liverpool FC
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea Liverpool FC
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Chelsea 35% Draw 28% Liverpool 37%
PL Form Guide: Chelsea LDWWL Liverpool FC LLWWD
PL Position: Chelsea 11th 38 pts Liverpool FC 8th 42 pts
13’— Bayern 1-0 Dortmund
18’— Bayern 2-0 Dortmund
23’— Bayern 3-0 DortmundThomas Tuchel’s era is off to a great start.#FCBBVB pic.twitter.com/YnYYoHgPBY
— Football Talk (@FootballTalkHQ) April 1, 2023
When Chelsea left the pitch at halftime today, they were down 1-0 to Villa, in the battle to stay on the first page of the standings. The home team heard the boos rain down, and honestly, booing has been the sound track to their season.
Although there is another song we often hear in 2022-23- chants about Graham Potter getting sacked.
The old “sacked in the morning” chant, modeled after the classic standard “Guantanamara,” was heard from both the home and away fans in the stands at the Bridge today.
One done has to wonder how much more time Potter will be given. Meanwhile Tuchel now has the keys to one of the biggest, best and most resourceful clubs in the entire world. You can guess how this is going to go. Today’s Der Klassiker triumph may been an indication.
Imagine the fallout if Chelsea can’t even make tenth place, while Tuchel wins another major trophy; or trophies.
And you got to feel for Tuchel, he has been open about how much it hurt when the southwest London club let him go.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.