Tuchel to sign 18-month contract at Chelsea, with extra year option — report

Frank Lampard’s gone and Thomas Tuchel looks to be coming in.

The 47-year-old has been out of a job for less than a month, since getting the sack at PSG at the end of December, and while he reportedly had offered his services to Chelsea, it was said that he would’ve preferred to take over in the summer. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s preferred choice was said to be Julian Nagelsmann, but he’s not in any danger of leaving RB Leipzig before the end of the season.

The solution to this non-ideal situation appears to be a short-term contract, with Tuchel apparently agreeing an 18-month deal, with an option for an extra year — though presumably we would renegotiate the contract entirely if this temporary interim-ish solution actually turns into a more lasting arrangement. (Given our history with managers, I wouldn’t bet on that of course.)

Chelsea’s next game is on Wednesday. Tuchel’s unlikely to be fully signed, sealed, and delivered by then, so we’re probably looking at a one-match turn for someone who remains of Lampard’s coaching staff (i.e. Anthony Barry).