Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel snapped back at a reporter asking about club owner Roman Abramovich’s links to the Ukraine invasion. There have been calls for Abramovich to sell the Premier League side.
Life as the Chelsea manager is never easy. A club that expects success, Tuchel has so far been able to deliver for the London based side.
Winner of the Champions League during his first season in charge, the Blues went on to lift the Club World Cup just last month.
Having endeared himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful, the German coach targets silverware again this season. Narrowly missing out on Carabao Cup glory against Liverpool, Chelsea still hold hopes of deep runs into the Champions League and FA Cup.
However, due to Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine, Tuchel’s job has changed considerably. As the public face of Chelsea, the 48-year-old has faced a barrage of questions surrounding the club’s owner. With calls for Abramovich’s assets to be seized, the Russian oligarch has been forced to act on the situation.
Read: Spartak Moscow releases statement regarding ‘upsetting’ UEL exclusion.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Abramovich announced he was handing over stewardship of the club:
“During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club,” explained Abramovich.
“That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea.”
While it appeared murky on the surface, clarification that Abramovich was not selling the club came later. Such a move has led people to criticise the Chelsea owner, with many pointing to his strong connections with Vladimir Putin. Abramovich personally recommended Putin for the Russian presidency in 2007.
Thomas Tuchel snaps at reporter quizzing him on Ukraine stance
Despite suffering League Cup final defeat in a humiliating fashion, Tuchel continues to be asked about the Ukraine conflict. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup clash against Luton Town, the Blues boss batted away any Russia related questions:
“You have to stop. I am not a politician. You have to stop,” explained Tuchel when asked about Abramovich’s involvement in the war.
“I never experienced war, so to even talk about it, I feel bad.
“I am very privileged; I sit here in peace. We do the best we can, but you have to stop asking these questions; I have no answers for you.”
Distressed by the situation, an emotional Tuchel pleaded with reporters to stop asking him questions to do with Abramovich. However, as the problem continues to escalate, this story isn’t going to die down anytime soon.
