This question was one too many for Thomas Tuchel (48)…
The Chelsea manager answers questions at the press conference ahead of the Cup Round of 16 match against Luton Town. However, the questions from the journalists present revolve almost exclusively around the war in Ukraine and the resignation of club boss Roman Abramovich (55).
First, Tuchel patiently explains that he cannot comment seriously on the role of the Russian owner of Chelsea – who is said to be closely associated with President Vladimir Putin (69). “I don’t know any details, I don’t know enough about all of this. It’s not up to me to comment,” Tuchel evades.
Tuchel is already reacting irritably to further questions about the escalation in Ukraine. “You keep asking me about the war. How many more times do I have to say it? It’s awful, just awful! There are no two opinions. But why should we be more distracted from our work than you? Despite everything, we all try to do our best. Like I said, we all know there are a lot more important things out there than football. That will never change either. But of course we try to continue to focus on our work.”
When a British journalist finally wants to dig deeper into the “horror of war” again, Tuchel has had enough. Excited and gesticulating, he interrupts him: “Listen, you have to stop that. I’m not a politician! You really need to stop this. I can only repeat it – and I even feel bad about repeating it because I’ve never seen war.”
Tuchel briefly loses his composure, adding in a trembling voice, noticeably touched: “I feel bad talking about it because I’m very privileged. I sit here in peace. I’m doing everything I can, but you have to stop asking me these questions because I don’t have any answers for you!”
Exciting discussion
Klopp or Tuchel – who is really better?
Source: IMAGE
Already on Friday, before the narrow penalty defeat in the League Cup round of 16 against Liverpool, Tuchel had admitted that the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought “a lot of uncertainty” for Chelsea: “We shouldn’t pretend that it’s not a problem”. Abramovich had announced that control of the club would be handed over to the Chelsea Foundation in the wake of the Russian attack on Ukraine.
In addition, Abramovich is said to have been asked by Ukraine to be a possible mediator in peace negotiations with Russia. Due to these ties, Chelsea have a lot more to do with the war in Ukraine than Tuchel would like. The questions will probably hardly decrease in the next few days.
