The brilliant Thomas Tuchel moment at Chelsea’s first in-person press conference for two years

Football reporter Rahman Osman takes you inside Chelsea’s first in-person press conference for two years.
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Like everything, football has been badly affected by Covid-19, with games being played in empty grounds and matches getting postponed.

Another aspect - not caught by the cameras - was that press conferences with managers and footballers moved from being in person to over Zoom.

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Instead of being out chasing stories, journalists were stuck in their kitchens, studies and bedrooms while trying to get answers out of managers such as Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta.

Thankfully with Covid-19 restrictions ending, reporters are able to get back to training grounds and start interviewing people in person.

Clubs have slowly been rolling out in-person press conferences with their own Covid protocols, and on Wednesday it was the turn of the European champions Chelsea who invited the press back to their Cobham base.

Tuchel joined the club in the middle of the pandemic, so this was his first in-person press conference, and the German did not disappoint.

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea looks on during a Chelsea FC Training Session (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea looks on during a Chelsea FC Training Session (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea looks on during a Chelsea FC Training Session (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Thomas Tuchel’s brilliant first moment

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The Chelsea manager’s first reaction to seeing the press was iconic.

Tuchel was a few minutes late to his first ever in-person press conference, and he walked into an almost full media room and appeared slightly overwhelmed.

His first words were “Jesus” before a broad smile came over his face.

One of the reporters quickly quipped: “Are we as as good looking as you imagined?

Tuchel smiled at this gag, nodding his head.

Preparations for Chelsea’s first in-person press conference in two years. Credit: Rahman OsmanPreparations for Chelsea’s first in-person press conference in two years. Credit: Rahman Osman
Preparations for Chelsea’s first in-person press conference in two years. Credit: Rahman Osman

Tuchel takes his time to chat to reporters

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The Chelsea boss was timed to complete the press conference within 30 minutes, but spent a lot of time having off the record chats with reporters.

The German spoke about how he was feeling and how it feels to see some of the faces he had only gotten used to through Zoom calls.

A beautiful side to the Chelsea manager, which fans don’t get to see, is that he is a smooth talker and comes across as someone who likes to crack a joke.

Tuchel was asked if he was considering leaving Chelsea with the impending sale, and his answer could not have been more definitive.

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He said he thought he had made it clear that he was happy at Chelsea and loves the environment and that this was not the end of his journey but rather the beginning.

The Champions League winner spoke passionately about the culture and the foundations of Chelsea that has made it one of the most attractive places to play football in the world.

Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match  (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

The feel-good factor

The press were just happy to be able to meet the manager in person, after a year of having to mute and unmute themselves on their computers.

Most reporters took the same seat they used before the pandemic which caused a bit of laughter. People don’t change do they?

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The internet password has remained the same and the club still provides a warm drinks to the media.

Bryan, who has been at Chelsea for years, was beaming with smiles and welcoming friends he had now been used to seeing only at the games.

I told him: “Times have changed and we are back.”

Tuchel finished the press conference with a smile, saying: “See you all soon.”

I managed to quickly get in the manager’s chair to film my reaction, with the Chelsea backdrop in shot.

It’s not every day you get to meet colleagues who are just happy to be in the same room.

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