Thomas Tuchel responds to Man Utd job links & Real Madrid Champions League draw
The Blues’ future is uncertain after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government and the European Union for his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who oversaw his country’s invasion of Ukraine.
The club is currently being sold, but until then, Chelsea is prohibited from selling further tickets or merchandise, and they are also prohibited from extending the contracts of any of their current players.
Tuchel has been connected with the job of succeeding interim manager Ralf Rangick at Manchester United, but he was quick to dismiss the talk during his pre-match press conference before the FA Cup clash against Middlesbrough.
“Do you think I’m less devoted or involved in this club?” “Absolutely not,” Tuchel said. “I love being here and working for Chelsea, and this club offers everything I need to be happy.”
“There are a lot of reasons to be in the moment here, and that’s precisely what we’re doing.”
Chelsea was drawn against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals just minutes before the press conference. Tuchel hasn’t lost to Los Blancos in his six games as manager, but he admits it’s still a difficult tie.
“That’s a tough one. The challenge cannot be any greater than playing the second leg in front of a crowd at the Bernabeu. It’s a difficult challenge, but there’s a lot of enthusiasm surrounding this game and matchup. We know what’s going to happen. “It will be an interesting encounter and a difficult challenge,” he predicted.
“It’s wonderful to play a European team and perhaps not at this level a team you’ve played so many times in domestic championships.”
Chelsea will be obliged to play the home leg behind closed doors due to the club’s existing sanctions, which Tuchel said would put his team at a huge disadvantage.
“It would be a disadvantage, but this is a spectator game, and the game changes with the viewers.” I’m sure everyone will compete for the opportunity. These games, like any other, are for the spectators, and the game changes if supporters are present.”
