Graham Potter and ex-Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino leading race to replace sacked Thomas Tuchel

Chelsea have sacked German manager Thomas Tuchel just 16 months after he led them to Champions League victory in Porto.

Tuchel was informed on Wednesday morning that he was being asked to step aside after his side lost to Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League opener on Tuesday night.

The Blues have lost three of their first seven games of the season and the new owners have decided that it is in the best interests of everyone to change a manager at this point.

Brighton boss Graham Potter is said to be leading the race to replace the Champions League winner but former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is going neck and neck to get the job.

Chelsea have a track record of changing managers who are under-performing and the sacking of Thomas Tuchel won’t come as a surprise to a section of the fan base.

This summer the Blues have been Europe’s highest spenders with an outlay of around £260m on players and a new defence.

Experienced defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Brighton and Hove Albion defender Marc Cucurella were brought in - but it’s the signing of Leicester’s Wesley Fofana that showed that the new owners were not messing about.

Chelsea statement

The Premier League giants said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

“On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club.

“Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.

“As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition,” the statement continues.

Chelsea say there will be no further comment on the matter until a new head coach appointment is made.