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    Frank Lampard did a ‘great job’ at Chelsea and deserved more time – but his sacking wasn’t a surprise, says Wayne Rooney

    WAYNE ROONEY says Frank Lampard deserved more time at Chelsea – but confessed he wasn’t surprised to see the axe fall on his former England team-mate.
    Roman Abramovich acted with customary ruthlessness on Monday when he sacked Lamps and wasted no time replacing him with the next coach off the rank – German Thomas Tuchel.

    Wayne Rooney says Frank Lampard deserved more time at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Rooney wasn’t surprised at his former England team-mate’s Chelsea sackingCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

    Even hardened Chelsea fans – used to their oligarch owner’s revolving-door policy – winced at how club legend Lampard was discarded, despite finishing fourth last season, topping his Champions League group and sitting third in the table as recently as December.
    However once Chelsea slumped to ninth, Abramovich decided he had to act.
    Rooney, who kicked off his managerial career at Derby, like Lampard, said: “I wasn’t surprised to see Frank get sacked if I’m being honest. 
    “That’s obviously the way Chelsea operate their business. I’m sure Frank would have known that going in there.

    “Since Roman Abramovich came in he doesn’t tend to give managers that much time to put their ideas in place. They demand almost instant success and if you don’t get it you will pay the price.
    “But I think he deserved more time.
    “He did a great job last year, playing a lot of young lads and making the Champions League.
    “This season he has brought new players in who will take time to challenge for the titles.

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    Lampard’s Chelsea record was better than Jurgen Klopp’s first 84 Liverpool matches
    “I don’t think they were too far away points-wise from being able to challenge. So it is disappointing for Frank and his staff.
    “But they will have known going in there – Chelsea demand trophies.
    “It is good in one sense because it keeps managers on their toes and they have to produce the trophies.
    “But if you are going to give someone a project to bring players in from different countries, then at least give them the season to see where they are at.
    “They are still in competitions and the Champions League, challenging.
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

    Abramovich has spent over £110m on sacking managers since his 2003 arrival
    “It is a shame for Frank in my opinion because I think he was doing a good job and it would have been great to see him get more time.
    “I think it is a bit premature because if they were 20 points behind the top four, for instance, you could understand it a bit more but they are still within touching distance of that top four.
    “Before the season, you probably would have said if they finished top four again it would have been a good season and allowed them to get a bit closer next season.”

    Frank Lampard told to ‘get used to it’ by Everton boss Ancelotti More

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    Jenson Button wants to turn George Russell into Britain’s next F1 champ after lending Williams a helping hand

    JENSON BUTTON is ready to help turn George Russell into a future F1 world champion.
    Button has been drafted in by the Williams team as an experienced hand after they slumped at the back of the grid.

    Jenson Button has been drafted in by Williams after their slump to the back of the gridCredit: Reuters

    Jenson Button wants to turn Williams’ George Russell into a championCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Button, 41, has been signed up by the team’s new owners, Dorilton Capital, to help their drivers Russell and Nicholas Latifi.
    And the 2009 world champion says he cannot wait to work with Russell, who nearly won the Sakhir GP when he stood in for Covid-struck Lewis Hamilton.
    He said: “I have a lot of respect for George and what he did in that race – I don’t know why the Universe didn’t allow him to win it, because it was his race.
    “It was sad he didn’t but maybe there was a reason for that and he has taken it on the chin.

    “I think you will see Williams improve over the next few years and hopefully George will still be with the team and he can build it around him.
    “I don’t know what is going to happen in F1 with the regulation change in 2022, Mercedes have a lot of talent in depth, but the new rules mix it up.
    “There is maximum in terms of what they can spend, which is great because it brings everyone closer together.
    “The big teams were spending three quarters of a billion and the smaller teams at 100 million.

    “I would like to see him stay at Williams because he can prove what he can do in a Mercedes.
    “He jumped in and on his first weekend he pulled an eight second lead on the guy pushing Lewis Hamilton.
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    George Russell filled in for Lewis Hamilton in Bahrain when the Mercedes driver had coronavirusCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    “We all know he has done something very special at Williams – out qualifying his teammate in every race – and he’s done it in the races as well.
    “I am sure there are frustrations as well and I am looking forward to spending some time with George to see how he thinks the team can improve.”
    Button will juggle his work with Williams in F1 with being the owner and driver for his team in Extreme E.
    The electric off-road series will race in the most remote parts of the world to raise awareness of climate change.
    Button will be going up against his former McLaren teammate, Lewis Hamilton and fellow F1 world champion Nico Rosberg, who also own teams in the series, which kicks off in the Saudi Arabian desert in April.
    He added: “I am going up against some greats like Sebastien Lobe and Carlos Sainz and people like that.
    “It is 550hp electric off-road vehicles competing against the best off-road drivers and we are racing in some of the most remote parts of the world.

    “Racing in those regions on brand news courses is exciting and also raising awareness to these areas that have been affected by climate change.
    “Plus, it is great to be racing against teams run by Lewis and Nico.You have three F1 world champions and I have no idea how many titles among all the drivers.
    “I know Lewis and Nico’s team’s will be competitive, not just because they are drivers but because of who they have running their cars.”

    Jenson Button says he is looking forward to return to Williams F1 team as senior advisor More

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    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel insists he’s more conductor than musician as he aims to tune up Werner and Havertz

    THOMAS TUCHEL has plans to get a tune out of his faltering Chelsea stars.
    The incoming boss faces the task of injecting fresh energy into a team which has been losing ground in the Premier League.

    Thomas Tuchel took charge of his first training session after being appointed as Chelsea managerCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    More importantly, Tuchel is under pressure to reinvigorate stars such as Kai Havertz and Timo Werner — fellow Germans who have been struggling to get to grips with English football.
    Blues owner Roman Abramovich performed a U-turn by choosing a part-time philosopher and combative personality to replace sacked Frank Lampard.
    Tuchel will be under immediate pressure to turn things around but is content to play second fiddle to the players.
    Speaking in the book Edge: Leadership Secrets from Football’s Top Thinkers, Tuchel said: “At the end of the day, I am not the musician, I am the conductor.

    “People don’t come to the concert to see the conductor. They come for the music. So you have to be clear that you’re there for players.
    “I am there for them. To develop their talent. Bring out their best. Develop their personality. Influence them. Help them overcome obstacles. Push them.
    “Not make it easy for them. Give them the rhythm and the confidence and the freedom to perform. That’s my job.”
    Tuchel, 47, won back-to-back league titles in France with Paris Saint-Germain and reached last season’s Champions League final.

    Tuchel will work again with Christian Pulisic after their spell together in GermanyCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    But he arrives in the UK new to the demands of English football.Tuchel has even less experience of the Premier League than compatriots Havertz and Werner who have been here for less than a year.
    His highbrow approach to the game and trademark, slim-fit puffa jacket will make him a hipsters’ favourite.
    But renowned as a firebrand, Tuchel has fought battles with his bosses at previous clubs PSG and German sides Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.It is a path well known to Chelsea fans who witnessed ex-chief Antonio Conte wage war with the board over failures in the transfer market — only to get sacked after two years in charge.
    In the book, Tuchel offered an insight into Chelsea that many felt had long since faded, only to resurface with Abramovich’s axing of club legend Lampard.
    Tuchel will be joining Chelsea fully aware of their history of sacking managers and ruthless demands for success.
    As a stickler for the beautiful game, he has long-held reservations about working at a club where trophies mean more than anything.
    Tuchel said: “I have to be honest with myself and ask if I’m the right person with the right character and the right approach for this kind of club, to make the people happy.
    “Or is it so much against me that I’d better say, ‘Guys, we will have a  misunderstanding here?’ But the clubs themselves should be aware of what  they stand for.
    “Every club has a spirit. There are certain clubs like Ajax, Arsenal,  Barcelona, AC Milan who like an aesthetic game — it’s not only about  winning but how you win and play.
    “Others, like Chelsea now, or Atletico Madrid, are more win-at-all-costs.
    “Each club has a charisma and an aura. Tottenham Hotspur, for example, is like Borussia Dortmund; they take risks, they like excitement.
    “My philosophy is an aesthetic one: aesthetic means control the ball, the rhythm, to attack in every minute and to try to score as many goals as possible.”

    Tuchel needs to find a way to bring the best out of summer signing Kai HavertzCredit: Rex Features

    And Tuchel uses failure to inspire him and pave the way for a more successful future.
    Lampard stressed several times before being sacked that Chelsea’s young squad will face ‘bumps along the way’.
    Tuchel explained: “It’s more important to forget and move on from the greatest, most unexpected success you might have than to forget and move on from the failures. If I go to training and I’m not looking forward to saying hello to every player there, then it’s the first problem.
    “So you don’t let them off the hook. If he doesn’t say hello to someone, it’s not good enough. These are my values.
    “For some players, it’s tougher to adapt to thanking the physio, or saying hello in the morning, to playing football.
    “But life is not only about the green grass. If you want to become the best, you have to shape your personality.
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    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
    “I prepare myself for every game and I feel my team. Somebody might be injured or having a bad time or be on fire.
    “And I see spaces that I predict we can find to beat the opponent and then  I take a decision, then I cannot wait until after the result to decide if it was right or not.
    “I’m always asking myself, ‘Why did you do this, what did we do here, was my approach wrong here?’”

    Thomas Tuchel takes Chelsea training for first time after replacing club legend Frank Lampard More

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    Pierre van Hooijdonk’s son Sydney’s dreams of starring in British football like famous dad dashed by Brexit

    SYDNEY VAN HOOIJDONK has seen his dreams of copying his dad and starring in British football dashed by Brexit.
    The Breda striker, 20, son of ex-Nottingham Forest and Celtic striker Pierre, had a January move to the Championship lined up.

    Sydney van Hooijdonk’s hopes of a move have been scupperedCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    Forest and Sheffield Wednesday were ready to make an offer with Van Hooijdonk available on a free plus a sell on fee.
    But the chance of following his father has been scuppered following new Brexit rules this month with a stricter points system to bring in players from the European Union introduced. 
    Dutchman Van Hooijdonk is one of the first high-profile footballers to be affected by the restriction in movement.
    Instead, Van Hooijdonk is set to make the switch to Germany with several Bundesliga clubs interested.

    The highly rated forward has scored 12 goals this season with Breda fourth in the Dutch second tier.
    European players are now treated in the UK like non-EU players of the past and require governing body endorsement (GBE). Via a points-based system agreed by the FA, Premier League and EFL and approved by the Home Office, a score of 15 points is needed to grant the transfer.
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    Points are awarded on a criteria including the number of international caps, the Fifa ranking of the player’s country, the strength of the league the player is arriving from and how many club appearances they have already made.

    A score between 10 and 14 points is referred to an exceptions panel who will rule over the suitability and quality of the player.
    With Van Hooijdonk yet to play for his country and playing in the Netherlands’ second division he would not have met the criteria under the new Brexit rules.

    Frank Lampard’s next club – West Ham lead England and Newcastle as ex-Chelsea boss’ next role, bookies say More

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    Man Utd eye Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner – leading other Prem clubs in race for ‘new Michael Ballack’

    MANCHESTER UNITED are eyeing a move for Hoffenheim midfielder Christoph Baumgartner.
    The 21-year-old has been hailed as one of Austria’s biggest talents for years – and is already turning heads in the Bundesliga.

    Cristoph Baumgartner has attracted interest across EuropeCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    SunSport understands that United have been tracking Baumgartner closely with a view to bringing him to Old Trafford to bolster their attacking options.
    A bid in the summer is most likely, but with the player’s contract running out in 2023, his current price tag of £16m is only going to increase.
    And with Hoffenheim’s history of getting good value for money – such as £29m for Roberto Firmino and £40m for Joelinton – Old Trafford chiefs will be expecting tough negotiations.
    Several other Premier League sides are also interested, but United are leading the way for the player that has been dubbed the new Michael Ballack.

    Baumgartner joined Hoffenheim as a 16-year-old in the summer of 2017, and was given his league debut by former coach Julian Nagelsmann.
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news from Old Trafford
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    Since signing his first senior deal with Hoffenheim in January 2019, he hit the ground running with seven goals in 26 league appearances in his first full season.

    He already has three goals in five assists in 17 league games this campaign, as well as two goals and two assists in the Europa League.
    Baumgartner has represented Austria at every age group, before making his senior team debut in 2020 – grabbing his first two goals against Romania and Greece.

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    Chelsea order Thomas Tuchel to challenge for title THIS SEASON after axing Frank Lampard

    THOMAS TUCHEL will become Chelsea’s new boss under orders to make them title contenders THIS season.
    Club legend Frank Lampard was brutally axed yesterday at 9am because the club’s board felt the team was ‘shot of confidence’.

    Thomas Tuchel is set to take over at ChelseaCredit: PA:Press Association

    Frank Lampard was sacked by the Blues Credit: Reuters

    Director Marina Granovskaia and chairman Bruce Buck delivered Lampard the blow face-to-face at Stamford Bridge and hope to have Tuchel in charge of tomorrow’s clash with Wolves.
    Tuchel, 47, succeeds Lampard with Chelsea ninth in the Premier League and five points adrift of the top four.
    And the former Paris-Saint Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss is under pressure to produce an immediate revival and catch up leaders Manchester United — who are 11 points ahead of them.
    Lampard has been hurt badly by the chop. He said: “It has been a huge privilege and an honour to manage Chelsea, a club that has been a big part of my life for so long.

    “Firstly, I would like to thank the fans for the incredible support that I have received over the last 18 months. I hope they know what that means to me.
    “When I took on this role I understood the challenges that lay ahead in a difficult time for the football club.
    “I am proud of the achievements that we made, and I am proud of the academy players that have made their step into the first team and performed so well. They are the future of the club.
    “I am disappointed not to have had the time this season to take the club forward and bring it to the next level.

    “I want to thank Mr Abramovich, the board, players, my coaching team and everyone at the club for their hard work and dedication, especially in these unprecedented and challenging times.”
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    Blues chiefs have made the decision to fire Lampard because they believe there is enough time left to improve on last season’s fourth-place finish.
    Roman Abramovich and his directors want more success from their £220million outlay on new players over the summer window.
    Lampard, 42, leaves with the lowest point-per-game record of any of the 11 bosses appointed by Abramovich since he bought the club in 2003.
    Performance advisor Petr Cech addressed players before training at 2pm to explain the situation and that was followed up by Granovskaia speaking to them.
    The elusive Russian billionaire made a rare statement over the call to ditch the Blues’ 211-goal record scorer.
    Abramovich said: “This was a very difficult decision for the club, not least because I have an excellent personal relationship with Frank and I have the utmost respect for him.
    “He is a man of great integrity and has the highest of work ethics.
    “However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers.
    “I would like to thank Frank for his work as head coach and wish him every success in the future.
    “He is an important icon of this great club and his status here remains undiminished.”

    Kai Havertz’s struggles have been one of the key reasons for Lampard’s sackingCredit: Guardian News & Media

    Roman Abramovich fired the Blues legend on MondayCredit: PA:Press Association
    The failure of £62m winger Kai Havertz to settle into Chelsea is believed to be one of the reasons why Lampard got the bullet.
    Relations between the manager and transfer guru Granovskaia and Cech had also become increasingly strained.
    Club insiders stress problems throughout the squad, as it failed to produce consistently good form, was a key factor in the dismissal.
    SunSport revealed on January 5 that Tuchel had been lined up but the deal is slightly delayed by coronavirus and work permit issues.
    Brexit means German Tuchel, who is expected to sign an initial 18-month deal, must have his paperwork sorted before he can start work, although the red tape is not expected to be a major problem.
    Chelsea are hoping Tuchel can serve Government quarantine rules via the elite sport provision and it is likely he will take charge of his first game tomorrow.
    The German, who has been living in his homeland, must first test Covid negative to get into the UK then again to enter a Premier League bubble.
    After that he can attend the training ground and matches but has to quarantine at all other times for five days.
    Lampard has half of his £15m three-year deal remaining and is expected to be paid up in full. Chelsea may opt to pay him as per normal until he gets another job.
    Lampard’s assistant Jody Morris and Chris Jones will leave too. First team coach Joe Edwards may stay on and be placed in temporary charge against Wolves if Tuchel cannot get clearance in time.
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

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    Joe Joyce on strict diet after he ‘had Deliveroo and Dominos on speed dial’ during first lockdown last year

    JOE JOYCE will stick to a lockdown diet now he has a mouth-watering cold dish of revenge over Oleksandr Usyk on the menu.
    The 35-year-old Juggernaut was a career heavy 19st 4lbs for his July win over Michael Wallisch and dropped almost a stone for the masterful British title win over Daniel Dubois in November.

    Joe Joyce was a career heavy 19st 4lbs for his clash with Michael Wallisch in JulyCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

    The 35-year-old dropped almost a stone by the time he faced Daniel DuboisCredit: Getty Images – Getty

    The 6ft 6in 2016 Olympic silver winner enjoyed a Dubai break after the jabbing clinic he beat the red-hot prospect into submission with.
    But now he is ranked No.2 with the WBO he has the Ukraine No.1 – who beat him in the amateurs – possibly even for an interim belt he wants to slide into with ease.
    Joyce told SunSport: “The first lockdown came in the summer and I treated it a bit like a holiday because I had been in camp so long for Dubois as it was postponed a couple of times.
    “I was just chilling out on the garden decking most days, I had Deliveroo and Domino’s on speed dial.

    “But now I have serious things to do. I have finally beaten Dubois and it sets me up nicely for the fight with Usyk that could potentially take me on to face the winner of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury.
    “I had my little holiday fling with junk food in the summer and now it is a New Year, it is down to business and 2021 is going to be my year.”
    Joyce was a wide underdog going into the Dubois clash, despite his huge amateur pedigree and Rio heroics where he was robbed of a gold.

    Joe Joyce wants a fight with Oleksandr Usyk to set up a bout with AJ or Tyson FuryCredit: Getty
    [embedded content]
    The ramrod jab Team GB honed on the Putney ace shattered Dubois’ left eyesocket and the agonising injury threatened to overshadow the almost faultless win.

    But modest Joyce has felt a surge of public support from the victory and feels he has got some of the respect his size, skill and dedication deserve.
    “I feel I have gained a lot of respect, I don’t think everyone considers me ‘Slow Old Joe’ anymore!” he laughed.
    “I think people have seen I have been improving. I am not a robot, I can now move my head and feet and I deliver on the big occasions.”
    London 2012 gold winner Usyk became undisputed cruiserweight king in 2018 but his first two wins up at heavyweight have been flat but his excellent standards.
    That dip in form and the three stone of muscle likely to separate them if they meet again, after Usyk’s 2015 points win the World Series of Boxing tournament, are boosting Joyce’s confidence.

    He said: “I have a bigger frame, I am 6ft 6in tall and have a longer reach.
    “I thought Usyk’s last fight with Derek Chisora was very close, I thought Usyk only nicked it on points by jabbing and getting on his bike.
    “I would not be worried about Usyk’s power, it would just be a technical fight.
    “But I would be there with the professional 10oz gloves and he would have to be concerned with avoiding all of my punches for 36 minutes.”
    Joe Joyce, is working with Purplebricks to encourage the nation to get behind Team GB on their journey to Tokyo, with the same amazing home support as London 2012. Visit @PurplebricksUK on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube.

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    Chelsea fans demand ‘In Frank We Trust’ banner in Lampard’s honour stays up after just ONE game on show

    FRANK LAMPARD lasted 18 months at Chelsea – but a banner in his honour looks to have survived just ONE game.
    In support of Lampard, supporters’ group We Are The Shed raised £1,000 at short notice to unveil a 15m x 1.5m banner that reads ‘In Frank We Trust. Then. Now. Forever’.

    Chelsea fans unveiled a banner in tribute to Frank Lampard on Sunday – but it proved to be his last match in chargeCredit: Getty Images

    It made its Stamford Bridge debut in the 3-1 FA Cup victory over Luton on Sunday, which proved to be Lampard’s last as boss after getting the axe on Monday.
    And in the aftermath, supporters’ group co-creator Alex Burke has revealed:
    They will request the banner remains up post-Lampard, but doubt the club will grant their wish
    Had the country not been in national lockdown, protests and demonstrations against the board over the sacking would have taken place this week
    Lampard personally thanked the group for unveiling the banner
    £4,000 in excess donations were given to food bank charity ‘The Felix Project’ supported by Reece James – a cause Lampard also personally donated to
    The sacking feels like a “slap in the face” with the group and fans never feeling so adrift from the club
    Following Chelsea’s 3-1 home loss to Manchester City earlier this month, an idea of unveiling a new banner was suggested in the WATS WhatsApp group.
    The plan was to have it in place for the FA Cup third round clash with Morecambe, but it ended up being put up a few days later.

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    A 3-1 FA Cup win over Luton couldn’t save Frank Lampard’s jobCredit: AFP or licensors
    Burke said: “We are thankful we had one game where the banner was on show. We will ask to keep it up but I am not sure what the club will say.
    “Of the £1000 needed about 75 per cent was raised by our group, with the other 25 per cent through social media.
    “Any excess donations went to Reece James’ charity, which Lampard himself ended up donating to as well. That just sums up the man he was and the connection he had with us.

    “It just feels like a slap in the face. As a group we were hoping that the fact they even allowed the banner in meant they would be backing Frank, but that wasn’t the case.”
    Former Borussia Dortmund and PSG coach Thomas Tuchel is set to replace Lampard in the coming days.
    ⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge

    The former midfielder will always be a club legend for his playing daysCredit: EPA
    Burke continued: “We will still support Tuchel when he comes in. Our anger isn’t at him. It is at the board.
    “We feel powerless, and we cannot be there to back Frank at the minute. We know full well that if we were there, 90 per cent, if not 100 per cent of the fans would be singing his name.
    “It’s kind of a coward’s way out for the club. There are no fans there to protest it.
    “I can assure you that if fans were able to be at the game, we would have been putting something together for the Wolves game, a protest or demonstration or both.”
    For Burke and the majority of the Chelsea fans, the bond and the connection they felt with Lampard was unlike anything they had experienced with a manager in almost two decades.
    Following the sacking, a post on their Twitter page read: “F**k the Board”.

    Burke explains: “It is the first time in ages we had a proper identity. Now, we are back to the merry-go-round of faceless managers with no connection.
    “We have been in direct contact with Lampard over the last few weeks. He got in touch personally over his appreciation of the banner.
    “I can’t think of many other managers who would have that connection with their fan base. I am thankful he understands the support the true fans still have for him.
    “But right now, it is embarrassing. I have never felt this distance from Chelsea before.
    “We thought that we would have a period of building towards something and having an identity. This was the last chance to be different, but that’s not how the board feel.”

    Frank Lampard sacked by Chelsea after horror run, with Thomas Tuchel favourite to replace him More