‘Todd Boehly told Tuchel to use this formation and tried to force Chelsea star out’ – Rio Ferdinand finally reveals Boehly secret of sacking Tuchel
The move by the new Chelsea owners to fire Thomas Tuchel has received a lot of attention.
After winning the Champions League, Tuchel established a reputation at the club, therefore everyone’s surprise at his dismissal was understandable.
Rio Ferdinand, who had spoken with Tuchel prior to his firing, has since opened up about a variety of behind-the-scenes events.
According to Rio Ferdinand, Todd Boehly was even trying to influence the team’s tactics, and had told Tuchel to play a ‘4-4-3’ system.
Ferdinand said on Vibe with Five: “It’s a big thing with a manager being sacked and the way it happened.
“I met him and did an interview with him just prior to that about his Chelsea team and the way it’s structured and his plans going forward. It was just really mad and it was surreal really when I heard the news coming through because the way he was talking to me on and off screen was like he was delighted to be there.
“I’ve spoken to people behind the scenes and from good sources it was as much a surprise to the coaching staff as it was to everyone outside. The staff had spent a lot of time speaking to the owners and from what I’m told Tuchel and his team had never had as much engagement with owners at any point in their careers.
“There’s hands on and there’s too much. From what I hear they were getting their noses too into things that should be left to a manager.”
Tuchel added: “Can you get away with one extra player on the pitch? I’ve heard those stories, they’re trying to influence even player selection and when you get to that point you can start to understand why a manager would have some pushback.
“Tuchel, the personality and character he is, he wouldn’t have accepted that, some other characters will do as new owners say but Thomas Tuchel isn’t that guy.”