Tuchel ‘can’t imagine’ Chelsea without Abramovich after club put up for sale

(FILES) In this file photo taken on November 20, 2011 The Chelsea football club badge is seen in the stadium during the English Premier League football match at Stamford Bridge in London. – Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich on March 2, 2022, confirmed he will sell the Premier League club amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian billionaire Abramovich has decided it is in the “best interest” of the Champions League holders if he parts ways with the club he has transformed since his purchase in 2003. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Thomas Tuchel admitted he cannot imagine life without Roman Abramovich after the Russian billionaire’s stunning decision to put Chelsea up for sale.

Abramovich has come to the “incredibly difficult” conclusion that he must sell Chelsea amid the political fall-out from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The 55-year-old revealed the shock news less than an hour before Chelsea kicked off in their 3-2 FA Cup fifth-round win at Luton on Wednesday.

Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 and his vast investment helped the west London club win 19 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns.

He hired Tuchel in January 2021 and was in Abu Dhabi recently to watch as Chelsea won the Club World Cup for the first time, having already lifted the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in the German’s reign.

But the Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge is coming to an abrupt end due to the war in Ukraine.

Abramovich reportedly opted to sell Chelsea amid fears he could come under British government sanctions given his alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

With a consortium of billionaires already making their interest in a deal public, Abramovich set his asking price for Chelsea at a