What should Thomas Tuchel’s next move as Chelsea manager be?

Chelsea has wrapped up a successful 63-game campaign following a 2-1 win over Watford on the final day of the season. The Blues end the year with two trophies (UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup), finishing as runners-up in the two domestic cups and third in the Premier League. Considering the off-field circumstances with COVID-19, injuries and the takeover drama, it was a solid campaign for Thomas Tuchel’s men.

The aforementioned club takeover is nearing its completion with Todd Boehly and his consortium ready to take the reins. It’s set to be a busy summer in west London with a huge squad overhaul expected to take place during the summer transfer window. Thus, with the players departing for their well-deserved holiday, the gaffer has stayed behind to begin preparation for the 2022/23 campaign. What should Tuchel’s next move be as he gets ready to help the new owners navigate the upcoming transfer window? Ironically enough, the German manager should follow in the footsteps of his players and embark on a break.

What should Thomas Tuchel’s next move as Chelsea manager be this summer?

This may sound like a crazy claim considering everything that requires Tuchel’s attention around the club. However, it’s important to remember in these times that these figures may be larger than life, but they’re not super-human. Bruce Buck, Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia seem set to stay at the club for the foreseeable future, so suffice it to stay, Chelsea will be in good hands if Tuchel does choose to get away for a week or two. The reports surrounding the advanced talks with Sevilla for Jules Kounde only serve to reinforce this point.

Tuchel’s foot has been on the gas for the last 20-odd months and it’s time for him to ease off the accelerator just a bit for his own well-being. He went from preparing Paris Saint-Germain for a high stakes campaign to taking over a struggling Blues side with just a few weeks in between. The 48-year-old has dealt with the stress of life during COVID-19, a move from France to London, the pressure of being in a high-stress environment like Chelsea and other personal matters since arriving in the English capital. Mental health has become such an important talking point in football for good reason; Tuchel needs to ensure he’s focusing on himself every once in a while.

Furthermore, it was apparent as the season dragged on that Tuchel had lost the managerial sharpness that he possessed in his first few months with the Blues. He made a handful of baffling in-game changes to the team’s tactics and seemingly mindless substitutions. If Chelsea wants to begin to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City on a domestic level, it needs to lay the groundwork for consistent performances. This begins with Tuchel.

The manager has been a wonderful ambassador and leader for the club during an unprecedented time. He’s a strong character, so it’s very unlikely he’d ever come out and admit he needs some time to himself, but it’s apparent for supporters to see. The Blues are in capable hands for the next few weeks as the takeover is completed, Tuchel deserves some time away from work to ensure he comes back ready for anything that next season might throw his way.

What do you think Tuchel should start on now that the season is over? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!