Tuchel is subtle version of Klopp and prefers open-door Chelsea policy to Liverpool boss’ bear-hugs and hair ruffling
THOMAS TUCHEL knows keeping his players happy is the key to success.
It’s a tried and trusted method developed by the man all Germany looks up to in football management - Jurgen Klopp.
But where Klopp is all about the public face of friendship with his bear hugs and post-match hair ruffling of his troops as they notch yet another victory, Tuchel is a more subtle version of the ‘heavy metal football’ which is synonymous with Liverpool.
Tuchel moves quietly about his business of building bridges with his squad.
He did it first last season by relocating his office at the Chelsea training ground to be closer to the boot room.
From a plush, first floor nerve centre complete with sofas and a balconied terrace, Tuchel has opted for an open plan hub for him and his entire coaching staff.
The moment Covid restrictions allowed, the staff and the boss were within whispering distance of the players with an open door policy.
Anyone with a problem or a grudge can go see Tuchel for a chat and air their views.
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The TV cameras are nowhere to be seen when big Tom gives his pep talks or is frank with anyone not pulling their weight.
But as a result, nobody in the Chelsea squad is under any illusion about the manager’s plans.
Romelu Lukaku knew long before the outside world that he had dropped a major clanger with his unauthorised TV interview in which he claimed to be unhappy.
Every player left out of a starting XI knows why long before kick off.
Tuchel’s predecessors could sometimes cold shoulder players who weren’t in the head coach’s good books. But that has all changed.
Chelsea’s German boss is also more down to earth than Klopp, who is sporting laser-treated eyes to go with those piano key teeth.
Tuchel is happy in his baggy tracksuit and puffa jacket. His only sway towards image has been to start wearing a baseball cap.
Even then he was happy making fun of himself, telling me when questioned about donning a baseball cap indoors: “I am having a bad hair day and when you’re hair is like mine, it doesn’t take much to have a bad hair day.”
Bad hair, good Herr.
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