Not Lose Before Competing, Tuchel Realized Maybe He Could Not Last Long At Chelsea

Thomas Tuchel (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chelsea's new manager Thomas Tuchel admits that he knows very well that few people expect him to stay at the London club for a long time. However, he did not avoid the challenge of presenting the trophy to this club.

The former Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain coach who replaced Frank Lampard who was sacked on Tuesday is the 14th Chelsea manager since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

"If you do this task at the highest level, if Chelsea calls you, if you decide to jump in, you know what you want," the 47-year-old coach told reporters.

"For me, it's better to speak frankly and there's nothing to be afraid of. Nobody expected me to be here long, maybe because of the history of the coach and Chelsea. Maybe I will last long. If I don't last long, then I won't stay. long."

Chelsea are 11 points behind leaders Manchester City drew 0-0 with Wolverhampton Wanderers in their first game in charge last Wednesday. Tuchel said the Premier League title this season was not a realistic target.

"We are now competing for the FA Cup, we will really be ready to compete at the highest level in the Champions League and we want to create an unpleasant team to face against," said the German coach, who has signed an 18-month contract.

"Since the start of next season at the latest we want to be ready to close the gap with Manchester City, Liverpool. I am very realistic and in a club that has a winning DNA and is chasing trophies."

Chelsea host Burnley in a league match the day after tomorrow.