Thomas Tuchel is keen to return to Chelsea less than two years after leaving and feels he still has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge, according to reports.
The west London club announced on Tuesday evening that they had parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino by mutual consent and have now begun the search for a new manager.
A host of names are already in the frame to succeed Pochettino, from ex-Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi to Ipswich Town’s Kieran McKenna.
But it could be a familiar face that takes over the reins, with Sky Sport Germany reporting that Tuchel is a ‘very concrete’ option.
The 50-year-old was the first major casualty of Clearlake Capital’s ownership of Chelsea and was sacked on the 100th day of their reign, back in September 2022.
Tuchel had clashed with the club’s owners during a tumultuous period of upheaval, but had won three trophies – including the Champions League – in the 20 months before that.
He has had a difficult time at Bayern Munich, with the side only finishing third in the Bundesliga, and announced earlier this year he would leave the club at the end of the season.
Bayern did make a last-minute attempt to convince Tuchel to stay, with his agent, Olaf Meinking, meeting with the club’s hierarchy last week.
However, Tuchel confirmed that no agreement was found and Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Hoffenheim was his final game: ‘There were talks, but we didn’t reach an agreement, so the decision of February still stands.’
Tuchel, who has also been linked with the Manchester United job should Erik ten Hag be sacked, is keen to return to the Premier League and Sky Sport Germany say he would welcome a return to west London.
They even claim ‘relaxed discussions’ have taken place in the past few days, before a decision on Pochettino’s future had even been confirmed.
Tuchel feels his task at Chelsea is ‘unfulfilled’ and can imagine himself returning to the club, though the Blues’ hierarchy may decide to go down a different route.
Chelsea are thought to favour a young, progressive coach who plays attacking, possession-based football and that has seen them linked most heavily with Ipswich’s McKenna.
Other names in the frame are Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness – who actually pipped Bayern and Tuchel to second place in the Bundesliga – as well as Girona’s Michel and Leicester City boss Enzo Maresca.
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