When Thomas Tuchel stormed into his post-match press conference following Chelsea's defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in September, few expected him to be undertaking his final duties in the job. The media were still gathering as the Blues reeled from a shock defeat and a performance that was even more concerning.
The German coach was as flabbergasted as he was furious in his analysis in the immediate aftermath of the game. His summation did not leave much to be hopeful about.
"I'm angry at myself, I'm angry about our performance, this is a huge underperformance from all of us," he said. "It's not precise enough, it's not clinical enough, it's not aggressive enough on the ball, it's not determined enough, it's not good enough individually, it's not good enough as a team."
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It did not feel like the end but it was a moment where people began to wonder how long Tuchel's tenure could go on if such performances were repeated, having already struggled against Leeds and Southampton earlier in the season. Before most who had made the trip to Croatia had returned home, Tuchel had been relieved of his duties.
While such a result may have provided a convenient moment - if one exists following the first game since a transfer window in which a player like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been signed specifically because of the head coach in charge - it was not the reason for Tuchel's dismissal.
The former PSG and Borussia Dortmund was asked whether the team still needed to gel after a difficult summer of preparations under the new ownership but it was a performance he conceded, he simply did not see coming.
However, the decision to part ways with Tuchel was not so much to do with performances on the pitch, as much as those off it. In the short time following the takeover led by Todd Boehly, the relationship between Tuchel and the owners broke down.
Things quickly moved as the appetite to extend Tuchel's time at the Bridge petered out amid frustrations on both sides. The ex-Chelsea coach was clearly frustrated with the way the tour of the USA panned out, and perhaps not accustomed to the number of meetings Boehly, Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano hoped for to discuss plans with no sporting director in place.
The Blues ownership group wanted a head coach invested in the long-term future of the club and not simply the here and now. There was a sense that Tuchel was not a figure who would be most suited to the collaborative approach they hoped to implement and football.london knows of one permanent departure Boehly and Eghbali opted against sanctioning despite having Tuchel's sign-off.
That was where Graham Potter came in. Chelsea prised the 47-year-old away away from Brighton by way of a £20million compensation package and agreed a five-year deal with their new head coach. It emerged quickly that this was an appointment with long-term vision where Champions League qualification would not dictate how long Potter remained in the hotseat.
That may have been tested more than anyone foresaw as Chelsea struggle to add to their single win in 2023 and Potter battles to find any momentum in the Chelsea side after Brighton ended his initial unbeaten run. The Blues' struggles in front of goals have continued while, like Tuchel following the game in Zagreb, Potter has been left with little to say following defeat to Southampton.
He remains confident in his work and ability, but can only accept the criticism coming the team's way. Potter has attempted not to field excuses, although he acknowledge the size of his squad and the volume of incoming players. Like with Tuchel, questions of how quickly the team can gel remain but dealing with that remains a reality.
It's impossible to ignore that a contingent of the fanbase has given up on Potter, but in all likelihood, the owners will stick by him, at least for the moment. In some senses, upon viewing the appointment in terms of years and not weeks means they have to.
If the club were to part ways with Potter in the midst of a rebuild both on and off the pitch, the vision that has been so often spoken about is likely to be ignored by a prospective new coach. Actions speak louder than words. The owners will have lost some credibility.
While the dressing room gave indications of fracture in the summer, it does not appear to have reached breaking point under Potter and the atmosphere has remained positive. There will no doubt be issues as Chelsea's oversubscribed squad sees players miss out, and that remains something that the new sporting structure will have to resolve come the summer.
It may be difficult to see the progress Chelsea have made under Potter. Their ability to generate chances has improved, Potter and his teams have learned about the players and they about him. Restarting that process again with a new face and new voice could prove problematic.
If Chelsea's form continues, however, there is little doubt that the reaction of players and owners will be tested. Then a decision will need to be made whether the risk is worth it.
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