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Three of Thomas Tuchel’s best moments during his one year at Chelsea

By Gabe Henderson

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Head Coach Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea celebrates after Thiago Silva scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 23: Head Coach Thomas Tuchel of Chelsea celebrates after Thiago Silva scores a goal to make it 2-0 during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on January 23, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images) /
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PORTO, PORTUGAL – MAY 29: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea lifts the Champions League Trophy following their team’s victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe Marcou – Pool/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL – MAY 29: Cesar Azpilicueta of Chelsea lifts the Champions League Trophy following their team’s victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe Marcou – Pool/Getty Images) /

3. Chelsea’s Champions League triumph

You knew this was coming. Tuchel has shared many special moments throughout the last 12 months with his players and Chelsea fans across the world. However, nothing stands out quite like winning the Champions League. Tuchel joined Roberto Di Matteo in the Blues’ folklore last May as he became only the second manager in club history to lift the big-eared trophy. Chelsea’s season wasn’t always a smooth ride. It featured a plethora of difficult losses, a defeat in the FA Cup final, a managerial change and numerous personnel transactions. However, in the end, it was the German who was able to rally the troops to win the biggest award in club football.

The Blues—despite not being the best team on paper—trounced opponents on their way to the title. They easily dispatched Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 before putting in a professional performance over two legs against Porto. The run was already incredible by that point, knocking out a European giant in Real Madrid in the semifinals was the icing on the cake. The final was always going to be difficult, especially given the familiarity between the two sides. Luckily for Chelsea, Tuchel had won his previous two meetings with Pep Guardiola. He became the first manager to go 3-0 against the legendary coach during that unforgettable May evening.

The Blues weren’t necessarily in control throughout the game, but they were relatively comfortable playing the way in which they did following Kai Havertz’s cool finish to put them ahead shortly before halftime. As time ticked away, the nerves began to grow. One can only imagine the stress Tuchel was under on the touchline throughout, especially considering he tasted defeat the previous year in the final with PSG. The scenes at full-time though were magical. Tuchel and his staff broke out into a full sprint onto the pitch to celebrate with the players as they conquered Europe for the first time in almost a decade.

The Champions League will be remembered for the rest of Chelsea fans’ lives. There aren’t enough words to thank Tuchel properly for the joy he gave supporters that night. He helped make sure it was the Blues faithful that got to celebrate the phrase “that night in Porto” until the end of time. Nobody can take that away from he, the players, the club or its fans—the victory is immortalized.

Next. Looking back at year one of Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea reign. dark

What is your favorite Tuchel moment thus far? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter!

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