Thomas Tuchel has shared his first message since his Chelsea sacking was confirmed on Wednesday morning.
Chelsea's owners opted to part ways with the 49-year-old following 100 games in charge of the club, which saw Tuchel win the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
He oversaw the takeover from the Roman Abramovich era to the consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital buying the club back in May.
But following a long summer of working together in a new relationship, after seven games played of 2022-23, Tuchel was dismissed and relieved of his duties as the owners looking for a new head coach to lead the new era forward.
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In a statement released by the club on Wednesday, it read: "Chelsea Football Club has today parted company with Head Coach Thomas Tuchel.
"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."
Now Tuchel has responded with a farewell statement of his own, expressing his devastation at leaving Chelsea after 19 months.
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The former Chelsea head coach felt he was at home and says Chelsea will always have a special place in his heart.
He wrote: "This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to write - and it is one which I hoped I would not need to do for many years. I am devastated that my time at Chelsea has come to an end.
"This is a club where I felt at home, both professionally and personally.
"Thank you so much to all the staff, the players and the supporters for making me feel very welcome from the start.
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"The pride and joy I felt at helping the team to win the Champions League and the Club World Cup will stay with me forever.
"I am honoured to have been a part of this club’s history and the memories of the last 19 months will always have a special place in my heart."
His final game in charge ended in a 1-0 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League. A chapter of his career that didn't end as a reflection of his time at the club.
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Tuchel's time at Chelsea was full of success, and it could've been even more. Domestic silverware evaded him after losing three cup finals, but he was a winner on the European and World stage.
Chelsea move on after Tuchel following the appointment of Graham Potter on a long-term contract after the owners believed the 47-year-old was the right person to take the club forward in its next chapter.
Topics: Thomas Tuchel, Chelsea
Matthew Debono