Tuchel vs. Sarri: Premier League Return and Changes Since Chelsea

When Thomas Tuchel and Maurizio Sarri meet in the Champions League on Tuesday night, they might be forgiven a moment where they discuss their shared past — and their futures.

Both men have previously managed in the Premier League — specifically at Chelsea — and both are likely to leave their current clubs at the end of the season. Tuchel has announced he will be exiting Bayern Munich in the summer, while there are growing tensions between Sarri and Lazio.

But will either of them come back to the Premier League? How have they changed since they last patrolled English touchlines? And how do they look back on their times in England?

Tuchel vs. Sarri: Who is more likely to return to the Premier League?

James Horncastle believes that Sarri is more likely to return to the Premier League due to his passion for football and his desire to continue coaching. Despite his complaints about the modern game, Sarri's love for the sport remains strong, and he is unlikely to retire anytime soon. On the other hand, Raphael Honigstein believes that Tuchel is more likely to come back first. Tuchel's success with Chelsea and his command of English make him an attractive option for Premier League clubs.

How have they changed since their time at Chelsea?

According to Honigstein, Tuchel's experience at Bayern Munich has left him somewhat bruised, as it was the first time he was sacked for purely footballing reasons. He also seemed to care more about public criticism and struggled to deal with the heightened attention at Bayern. On the other hand, Sarri remains the same deep thinker and passionate coach he has always been. However, he has had to adapt his tactics and compromise with certain players at different clubs.

Their attitudes towards English football and the Premier League

Horncastle reveals that Sarri misses the Premier League and admits that going back to Italy was a mistake. He believes that the Premier League is a unique and special place to work, where coaches can test themselves against the best. Honigstein, on the other hand, states that Tuchel absolutely loved coaching in England and enjoyed the mentality of the average English player. He found it liberating compared to the politics he experienced at Dortmund and PSG.

Should Chelsea consider bringing them back?

Horncastle believes that Sarri's clear tactical identity and ability to develop players make him a good fit for Chelsea. Despite the criticism of his style of play, Sarri's teams have been competitive and achieved good results. However, Honigstein does not see any chance of Chelsea bringing Tuchel back due to the problems he had with the ownership and the level of interference he faced.

What sort of clubs should they be looking to manage?

Horncastle suggests that Sarri could consider managing a mid-table Premier League team like Aston Villa, as even these teams have more financial resources than clubs in Serie A. However, Sarri's main focus is on coaching and not being involved in recruitment decisions. Honigstein believes that Tuchel will be looking for a club that can compete and has great players, such as Manchester United or Liverpool.

Are they still elite-level managers?

Honigstein believes that Tuchel is still an elite manager and will have elite jobs to go into. He mentions Manchester City as a potential fit for Tuchel due to his stylistic similarities with Pep Guardiola. Horncastle agrees that Sarri remains elite and has achieved success in Serie A, despite the perception that he has not been able to replicate his Napoli team's style of play.

Can they do more than a few years in their next job?

Honigstein acknowledges that Tuchel has had some challenges in his previous jobs, but believes that he can be successful without rubbing people the wrong way. Tuchel's challenge in his next job will be to create a stable environment and build on it. As for Sarri, Horncastle believes that he can still create a team that plays beautiful football, but acknowledges that it may never reach the level of his Napoli team.

Final thoughts

Horncastle emphasizes Sarri's ability to play some of the best football and create a team that dazzles. He believes that any club looking at Sarri would be attracted to the promise of watching exceptional football. Honigstein expresses his confidence in Tuchel's coaching abilities and believes that he would bring ambition and a high chance of silverware to any club. Both managers have their strengths and would be valuable additions to the right clubs.