LONDON: Thomas Tuchel is in talks with Chelsea over a contract extension, although the German says he is focused on “my team… and being competitive”.
The 48-year-old’s current deal runs until 2024. He signed after guiding Chelsea to the 2021 Champions League trophy, having initially been on an 18-month deal when he replaced the sacked Frank Lampard in January 2021.
“My people talk to the owners and take care of everything else,” said Tuchel on Friday (August 19) ahead of Sunday’s away game in Leeds.
“You know how glad I am to be here and how much I like it.
“There are talks but I think given the situation we’re coming from and where we’re in the middle of the transfer phase I think it’s best for me to focus on my team and the sport and be competitive.” he added.
Tuchel was speaking before the Football Association handed him a one-game suspension and a £35,000 ($41,000) fine after he was sent off following his angry clash with Tottenham boss Antonio Conte last Sunday.
Conte was also fined £15,000 but Tuchel said there was no bad blood between them and it was just emotions boiling up in the heat of the moment.
“Of course we laugh, it’s very important to laugh and laugh at ourselves,” he said.
“I laughed in the dressing room; it was the heat of the game and we didn’t insult each other.
“I think things would have ended if it hadn’t been for 20 people around us making things look a lot worse than they actually were.
“He (Conte) fought for his team, I fought for my team. I just have the utmost respect for him.”