Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel is confident he’ll be able to see out his contract at the club, but accepts admits “history tells us that it’s not that easy.”
The German has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge for the most part, leading the club to Champions League glory less than five months after being appointed as Frank Lampard’s successor.
Tuchel has again led Chelsea through the Champions League group stages, albeit finishing second to Juventus in Group H, but the Blues’ form in the Premier League has tailed off after a terrific start to the season.
Chelsea have won just one of their last five Premier League games, and they have kept just one clean sheet in their last ten outings – with defeat at Manchester City at the weekend almost certainly ending the club’s faint title hopes.
There’s no suggestion that Tuchel is under pressure just yet, but he appeared to be acutely aware in his latest press conference – ahead of Tuesday’s rescheduled Premier League clash with Brighton – that owner Roman Abramovich is more than happy to relieve managers of their duties regardless of how long may be left on their contract.
Indeed, he was cautiously optimistic that he’ll see out his deal in west London, telling the assembled media: “I think I have a contract until 2024.
“Let’s stay with this and try to stay as long as this contract says. History tells us that it’s not that easy, but I feel very confident today that I can make it – I don’t want to be anywhere else, this is absolutely sure.
“I feel very happy, let’s see what happens, but everyone knows you need results, and I’m responsible for creating an atmosphere that gives us the results.”
Tuchel also sent a message to young striker Armando Broja, currently on loan at Southampton, after he was linked with a permanent transfer to St Mary’s following a decent run of form.