Tuchel Mum On Lampard, Rubbishes Chelsea’s Motivation Claims Ahead of UCL Clash With Man City

Thomas Tuchel refused to answer a question about Chelsea’s decision to reappoint Frank Lampard while he rubbished suggestions he will be extra motivated to win the Champions League.

The 49-year-old is currently in England with Bayern Munich preparing for a tough quarter-final first-leg against Manchester City.

Tuchel was sacked as Chelsea manager last September but was appointed as the new head coach of Bayern last month.

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The Bavarian hierarchy is hopeful that Tuchel can lead the team to a treble-winning season.

Chelsea is now on their fourth coach of the season after axing Graham Potter. Frank Lampard has taken over as the caretaker manager until the end of the campaign, replacing Bruno Saltor.

However, a thorough search is underway for a new permanent manager. Thomas Tuchel refrained from commenting on Chelsea’s recent management changes ahead of the showdown with Manchester City, but he appeared to make a subtle dig at the club’s hierarchy following Potter’s dismissal.

Asked for his reaction to Lampard – the manager he replaced at Stamford Bridge back in January 2021 – being brought back to the club, Tuchel shook his head and replied: ‘No.

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‘No, no, no. No more Chelsea decisions. I’m wearing a different shirt and I will not comment. Sorry.’

Should Bayern overcome City, they could face Chelsea in the semi-final if the Blues see off Real Madrid, though Tuchel is not thinking that far ahead and insists the nature of his exit has not fired him up anymore to prove his former employers wrong.

Asked if he had any extra motivation to win the Champions League – and perhaps beat Chelsea along the way – Tuchel replied: ‘No, it’s impossible.

‘I can just give my contract back if I’m not highly motivated for tomorrow. This is pure pleasure, pure joy, and a great gift to be part of a match like this, a quarter-final of the Champions League.

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‘Listen, Tuesday and Wednesday football is the competition you want to be in. If you are there as a player, or if you have the possibility as a coach, it’s a gift from life and I appreciate it a lot.

‘And it’s an obligation to give my very, very best [in terms of] motivation and input and help and devotion to my players. This is it. There is no more motivation needed.

‘I can tell you I’m happy to be back [in England]. I enjoyed every single day being in England, coaching in England and the Premier League. Happy to be back and be back in this atmosphere.

‘But when the whistle goes there will not be so much of enjoyment or sentimental thoughts, we will then compete until the last whistle.’