- Tuchel has attended several matches since officially starting as England boss
- He returned to Stamford Bridge for the first time since his acrimonious departure
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Thomas Tuchel has made his first return to Stamford Bridge since being sacked as Chelsea manager, as the new England boss took in the Blues 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Tuchel officially started his role as England head coach on January 1 and has been seen at several Premier League matches this month.
The 51-year-old’s latest port of call was Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night in the latest round of Premier League fixtures.
Tuchel was seen in the stands watching a dramatic clash, with Chelsea and Bournemouth playing out an entertaining 2-2 draw.
It marked the first time Tuchel had returned to his former club since his reign was ended in acrimonious fashion on September 7 in 2022.
Tuchel had won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup as Chelsea boss, as well as leading the club to the finals of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
Thomas Tuchel was picked out by the television cameras at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night
Tuchel was making his return to Chelsea for the first time since his sacking in September 2022
The German coach had led Chelsea to their second Champions League triumph in 2021
He was sacked the morning after a 1-0 defeat by Dinamo Zagreb, on what was the 100th day of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership of the club.
Tuchel had revealed to Mail Sport in 2023 that he had been ‘shocked’ but his abrupt exit from the club, with the meeting to confirm his dismissal lasting just three minutes.
talkSPORT presenter and former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan claimed that secret off the field issues had been behind his departure.
‘There’s a lot more behind the scenes of Tuchel that would make most people’s eyes water as to the reasons why Todd Boehly made that decision and it wasn’t just a case of losing to Dinamo Zagreb, it was case of a whole raft of other things – that’s Todd Boehly’s gift to tell people what that is,’ Jordan said on talkSPORT in 2023.
‘But it opened my eyes and I would’ve done exactly the same thing as Todd Boehly did which is “you can go mate”.’
It was reported last year that Tuchel would be given a warm welcome on his return to Stamford Bridge in his new capacity as England boss.
Tuchel could become a regular visitor to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea boasting a number of potential candidates for his England squad.
England internationals Levi Colwill, Jadon Sancho, Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke all started for the Blues on Tuesday evening, while 18-year-old defender Josh Acheampong also made Enzo Maresca’s side.
Tuchel watched as Cole Palmer opened the scoring for Chelsea against Bournemouth
Chelsea, however, required a late Reece James free kick to rescue a point against the Cherries
Tuchel, pictured at Wolves, has taken in several matches since starting as England boss
Full back Reece James, who played under Tuchel at Chelsea, also came on in the second half.
James netted a stoppage time equaliser from a free kick, while Palmer had opened the scoring for the Blues in the first half.
Chelsea had been forced to bounce back after a Justin Kluivert penalty and an Antoine Semenyo strike had seen Bournemouth lead in the second half.
The draw has seen Chelsea extended a run of five matches without a win in the Premier League.
James, who has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons, underlined his England post-match having last featured for the Three Lions in March 2023.
‘I worked under him, he knows my capabilities,’ James said, when asked about Tuchel’s attendance.
