Todd Boehly learns a painful lesson from Roman Abramovich’s past blunders as Chelsea owner
Many were startled when Chelsea owner Todd Boehly fired Thomas Tuchel just days after the summer transfer window closed.
It was a summer in which he spent record sums backing the German head coach in the transfer market, and Blues fans recognize the decision from the managerial merry-go-round under Roman Abramovich.
After Abramovich was compelled to leave Chelsea, it was inevitable that inquiries would be raised regarding the club’s future appearance under new ownership.
These doubts were answered immediately on the transfer market when Chelsea invested over £250 million.
It appeared to be an enormous vote of confidence in Tuchel’s ability to lead Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League and fight Manchester City.
The loss to Dinamo Zagreb resulted in Tuchel’s dismissal, despite being only five points behind league leaders Arsenal.
The decision was reminiscent of Abramovich’s brutality toward managers during his tenure as the club’s owner, which shocked many by surprise.
Tuchel, widely considered as one of the top managers in the world, led his club to third place in the league last season and laid the basis for future success. Instead, Boehly felt compelled to make changes, identifying Graham Potter as the most qualified candidate for the position.
After the international break, the ‘new manager bounce’ kicked in as Chelsea secured three consecutive league victories. However, they have struggled in their previous four Premier League matches, with the last loss coming at home against rivals Arsenal.
As a result of Tuchel’s dismissal, the gap between the two London clubs has increased from five to thirteen points. Potter will need time to establish his own identity at Chelsea, but Boehly was aware of this when he fired Tuchel.
It could prove costly this season, as Chelsea now faces an uphill battle to finish in the top four and Potter’s team appears to lack confidence against Arsenal.
It is the first time in nearly two years that Chelsea has lost consecutive Premier League games, and under their new manager, they are suddenly playing catch-up with teams that are further along the path than they are.
During Abramovich’s rule, Chelsea fans were accustomed to frequent changes in the dugout, many of which were unsuccessful. Andre Villas Boas succeeded Carlo Ancelotti with dismal results in 2011, with the Portuguese coach failing to impress and being fired less than a year later.
Roberto Di Matteo’s dismissal just a few months after winning the Champions League sparked a commotion among fans, while Rafael Benitez was unable to win over fans during his tenure as manager. There is still still time for Potter to avoid joining the long list of Chelsea managers who failed to complete a full season in charge.
Boehly has now experienced the reality of life in the Premier League and how a shift may sometimes have a negative impact on the team.
Todd Boehly learns a painful lesson from Roman Abramovich’s past blunders as Chelsea owner
