Chelsea’s sacking of Thomas Tuchel is set to cost the club around £15million.
Sportsmail understands that the German was one of the Premier League’s top earners, on a salary in the region of £13 million a year.
And with his backroom staff set to follow him out of the door, the total cost to Chelsea’s new American owners is likely to be closer to the £15 million mark.
However, Tuchel’s severance package would lapse early – should the German find himself another job.
While Tuchel’s departure was announced this morning, after Tuesday night’s shock 1-0 Champions League defeat to Dinamo Zagreb, the decision was made previously.
The new hierarchy has now been in place for 100 days after buying the club from Roman Abramovich and concerns have been raised over the direction of travel for a number of weeks.
Serious cracks emerged during Chelsea’s tour of the US, in particular following a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of rivals Arsenal in their final match of a cross-country trip in Orlando.
Officials did not feel that the atmosphere around the first team squad was what it should be, despite significant investment. A dip in form at the end of last season was also taken into account.
Brighton’s Graham Potter is admired, with Chelsea looking to make an appointment before their next match at Fulham on Saturday.
Boehly and fellow co-owner Behdad Eghbali were seen in attendance at the Stadion Maksimir to watch the defeat in Zagreb.
The decision then came to sack Tuchel, who signed a two-year extension to his Chelsea deal after leading them to Champions League glory in 2021.
Chelsea are sixth in the Premier League and have made a miserable start to their Champions League campaign, with Tuchel disposed hours after their humbling 1-0 loss in Croatia, his 100th match in charge.
In a statement Chelsea wrote: ‘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.’
Tuchel leaves having guided Chelsea to UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup glory.
Tuchel arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2021 to replace Frank Lampard and hit the ground running by winning the Champions League in six months.
Last season Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals, only to lose to Liverpool on both occasions. They also finished third in the Premier League.
Source: Daily Mail
