Thomas Tuchel knows he will have to relinquish control at Chelsea under Roman Abramovich

Thomas Tuchel likes to be in control. Good luck at Chelsea, then.  

Roman Abramovich’s all-powerful hold on Stamford Bridge was exercised to ruthless effect on Monday morning when Frank Lampard became the Russian’s latest managerial casualty.  

If that came as a surprise to Lampard, it will have been less so for Tuchel, who had already been identified and lined up to replace the legendary former midfielder.  

In other words, the German knows what he’s letting himself in for – just as did so many who have gone before him.  

There is just no shortage of men all too willing to work under one of the most demanding owners in world football.  

Perhaps Pep Guardiola stands out as the exception to the rule. Otherwise a conveyor belt of managers are prepared to run the gauntlet of placing their reputations on the line or in the hands of Abramovich.  

Tuchel is just the latest – after being sacked by Paris Saint-Germain last month, he could hardly have had a better grounding.  

Back-to-back titles and a Champions League final weren’t enough to save him at PSG, so he knows precisely what it’s like to have to live up to the highest of expectations. That’s harsh even by Abramovich’s standards.  

Yet Tuchel has been judged by more than just his achievements on the pitch. He has been accused of being difficult to work with and is said to have a problem when ‘managing up’.

There are no shortage of politics at Chelsea, so any hopes of enjoying control will quickly have to be put to one side.  

Transfers will be conducted by Marina Granovskaia, with Petr Cech a voice of growing influence, while Abramovich’s will must be adhered to.  

The sacking of Lampard was a dose of shock therapy. A reminder of the standards the Russian has set – and the expectations that must be met.  

In exceptional circumstances – a transfer ban, the loss of Eden Hazard and a young manager at the helm – the definition of what is acceptable changed for one season only last year.  

Perhaps Lampard was caught up in his own youth drive and long-term planning to realise the investment of £220million in new players came with an obligation to win trophies.  

Tuchel will be left in no doubt about that.  

He is an A-list coach, who will be charged with the responsibility of leading Chelsea back to summit of English and European football.  

It’s not about top finishes or squad development, it’s about results, silverware, tangible success.

He will inherit a supremely gifted squad with strength in depth in all departments. He worked with Christian Pulisic at Borussia Dortmund and Thiago Silva at PSG.  He will know the talents of fellow Germans Kai Havertz and Timo Werner all too well and will be expected to inspire an immediate turnaround in their form.  

In the summer he can expect another recruitment drive, with Dayot Upamecano on Chelsea’s radar.

If he sticks to the qualities that earned him comparisons with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp during his time Borussia Dortmund and maximises the undoubted talent of the squad he takes over at the Bridge, he could prove a triumphant appointment.  

If he clashes with those above him, as has been the accusation in previous roles, he and Chelsea could have a problem.  

But neither party can claim they don’t know what they are letting themselves in for.  

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