Uncertainty over Chelsea manager’s future as rift with board starts to create strain

Thomas Tuchel’s future as Chelsea manager is becoming increasingly uncertain as the Government’s sanctions on the club start to bite hard and rifts with him and the football board starting to show.

The German has committed himself to the SW6 outfit until the end of the season. But he is clear favourite to head to the relatively calmer waters of Manchester United next season.

Tuchel was furious that the club’s hierarchy decided to try and get tomorrow’s FA Cup match at Middlesbrough played behind closed doors.

The universal condemnation of that decision led the club to a embarrassing and hasty U-turn.

Only 600 Blues fans who had already purchased tickets through their away scheme will be at the Riverside Stadium. Chelsea have been unable to sell tickets since the Government decided to place sanctions on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

This led to the club bizarrely citing that the integrity of the competition was at stake and that no fans should be able to go to the game.

Tuchel rounded on the board following his side’s 2-1 Champions League win in Lille on Wednesday night which gave them a 4-1 aggregate victory.

In a calm but firm voice he said: “That was our [the club’s] responsibility. Not mine and the team because, let me put it like this, we love to play in front of spectators and I don’t think spectators of our opponents should suffer from the consequences.

“So I think the proposal was withdrawn and it was absolutely the right thing to do because that was from our side and hopefully, it was not meant like this.”

This criticism of the board is unheard of in recent times at Stamford Bridge and a clear indicator that cracks are appearing in the previously impervious and unflappable Chelsea hierarchy.

Today is the final day for interested parties to officially state their intention to buy the club.

The Raine Group will sift through the contenders and create a shortlist which will be given to the Government to assess.

It will not necessarily be the highest bids that make that list.

It is believed that a fast-track selling process is in place, which could see the club change hands by the end of the month.

As things stand, Chelsea won’t be able to have fans at the home leg of the quarter-final of the Champions League as UEFA has confirmed the club cannot sell tickets in its current state. Only season ticket holders will be able to attend Premier League matches.

There are about 28,000 of them in a stadium that holds close to 42,000.

The non-selling of tickets also applies to the women’s arm of the club and the men’s development squad – both play at Kingsmeadow Stadium.

Chelsea women have a vital four days coming up, starting on Sunday when they take on Birmingham City in the FA Cup at Kingsmeadow.

A berth in the semi-final awaits the winner and while champions Chelsea are serious favourites, the cup can bring about a nasty surprise.

Fran Kirby is still absent through illness and it’s unlikely she will be available for Wednesday’s WSL match at home to Spurs. Should Emma Hayes’ side prevail, they will leapfrog Arsenal to the top of the league.

Wednesday night’s 3-0 away League win at Everton put the Blues to within two points and the Spurs match is the final game in hand over the north Londoners.

Strikes by Sam Kerr, Guro Reiten and Erin Cuthbert in the first half gave Chelsea a comfortable night in the North West.