Thomas Tuchel’s hoping to build a long-term legacy at Chelsea Football Club, but is well aware of the harsh reality of the job, where the only security is winning.
That has certainly resulted in a fair few managers coming through the door over the years, and a solid number of them leaving not long after, but certainly at this point, there should be no illusions about it being any other way. They know what they sign up for, and Tuchel, who’s always viewed this situation from day one with clear eyes even when talking about in public, isn’t sugarcoating it either.
“Quality and results are the most important, otherwise we have no chance to stay. If you have that and if you feel happy and if the club and manager build a trust, like there is at Liverpool, Manchester City and of course at Burnley, it can be a successful story.
“It can be the other way around — that you change a lot of managers and you are also successful. The proof is maybe this club here. No hard feelings for both approaches. I will do my very best to stay as long as possible because I like where I am. It is a perfect fit.”
At the same time, that allows him to view things in the same cold hard terms, and approach the challenge with no illusions or delusions. Dangers lurk around every corner, so just like driving a car, you have to keep your eyes on the road and focus on what you’re doing at all times.
“It’s so important not to have the wrong belief that things take care of themselves. They do not. That’s why we try to take care of details. But I am personally not living in fear and constantly reminding myself: ‘You can be sacked.’ I drive a car to the training ground. I know it’s super-dangerous to be in a car because every day there are accidents, but I don’t think about it.
“I drive carefully, but I trust my skills. I feel confident in the car. I know where my limits are and I don’t gamble on my limits. I try not to overstretch the limits. We are aware of the situation but it doesn’t hold us back. It’s a gift, and I’m really living my dream, actually. Hopefully it will last some more years, weeks, months, whatever.”
-Thomas Tuchel; source: Guardian
So say we all.
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