Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was surprised by Chelsea’s decision to sack Thomas Tuchel after a poor start to the season but said it was the managers’ reality.
Chelsea sacked Tuchel on Wednesday, a day after the London club suffered a 1-0 defeat at Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League opener.
Tuchel led Chelsea to third place in the Premier League last season but this season they are sixth after six games after losing to Leeds United and Southampton.
“I was – it was just before practice when we got the news.”
“It’s always sad for any colleague in this profession to be fired. Unfortunately, we know how that works,” Arteta said when asked if he was surprised by the decision.
“I wish him the best of luck. It is not pleasant to hear this news.
“… We have a job that (can) happen to at some point. We have to prevent it, enjoy the journey and enjoy every day because you never know when that will happen.”
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said he felt sorry for Tuchel, who led Chelsea to the Champions League in his first season.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said his club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, had left it in his hands to get the team back to full swing.
“Of course there are different types of owners. Our owners are rather quiet and expect me to handle the situation and not think that someone else would handle it,” said Klopp.
“That’s how they’ve always seen it. And the day they change their minds, maybe they’ll tell me.”