Thomas Tuchel sacked by Chelsea following Champions League defeat

Chelsea have sacked manager Thomas Tuchel following their 1-0 Champions League defeat to Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb on Tuesday.

Tuesday's match was the German's 100th match in charge but was the latest in a string of disappointing results this season, with Chelsea having suffered two Premier League defeats in their first six matches too.

New owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have worked hard all summer to impose their authority at Stamford Bridge, but sacking a manager who guided the club to the Champions League title 15 months ago represents the boldest and most sweeping change yet.

Chelsea said in a statement: "On behalf of everyone at Chelsea FC, the Club would like to place on record its gratitude to Thomas and his staff for all their efforts during their time with the Club. Thomas will rightly have a place in Chelsea’s history after winning the Champions League, the Super Cup and Club World Cup in his time here.

"As the new ownership group reaches 100 days since taking over the Club, and as it continues its hard work to take the club forward, the new owners believe it is the right time to make this transition," the statement continues.

It added there will be no further comment on the matter until a new head coach appointment is made.

DINAMO ZAGREB PLAYER RATINGS: Dominik Livakovic 7/10: Will be happy with his clean sheet. Made a double save to keep the visitors at bay and did the basics well. Good showing. AP

Tuchel is the second Premier League manager to be fired this season — Bournemouth sacked Scott Parker last week — but news of the German's departure will still have come as a shock to most Chelsea fans despite an indifferent start to the season.

The consortium led by Boehly and Eghbali paid a