Thomas Tuchel has described any chance of Chelsea embarking on a Premier league title challenge this season as 'not realistic', and says he intends to focus his efforts on the Champions League and FA Cup.
The German boss was addressing the media in his first press conference since being appointed Blues manager, despite having already taken charge of his first game at the helm.
His maiden outing saw his side fail to break the deadlock against a resolute Wolves side on Wednesday evening - a result which leaves them 11 points adrift of league leaders Manchester City - and while Tuchel recognises he must deliver success, he's already ruled out a title challenge this season.
"Realistically this year it's the Champions League and the FA Cup," he told reporters (via the club's official YouTube channel). "To speak now about the Premier League title there are too many teams between us and this is not realistic, we will just lose the focus.
"At Chelsea it is about results for us as managers. We always try to bring in performances, to bring in and develop and improve players and increase their value, but in the end I'm very realistic.
"I'm in a cub whose DNA it is to win and go for trophies and I'm here to challenge for every trophy we play for."
Despite underling the need to deliver consistent silverware during his time at Stamford Bridge, Tuchel also stressed the importance of entertaining the fans in the process.
"Success is also to make the stadium happy," he added. "People should be exited to come to Stamford Bridge, people should be excited to watch our team, people should be excited and feel like the team plays with a special energy and atmosphere."
Tuchel had been out of work for little over a month when he was announced as Chelsea's new boss, though he said he couldn't pass on such a glorious opportunity when the job was offered to him.
"It's one of the biggest clubs in the world in the most competitive league of the world," he said. "It felt like we should not miss the chance to be part of the Chelsea family and to compete for titles with the best manager and best teams. That was a pretty easy choice."
The recent sacking of Frank Lampard has not been well received by some sections of the Chelsea fan base, with a banner hung on the gates of Stamford Bridge voicing displeasure at the decision to dismiss the former Blues midfielder.
Tuchel added that he had huge admiration for the outgoing boss as both a player and a person, and revealed he'd already spoken to Lampard since being appointed.
"I was a huge fan of Frank as a player," he said. "It was a huge joy to watch him play and to see how he played with personality. He was one of the key players to demonstrate in 90 minutes what Chelsea was about - intensity, devotion and winning mentality.
"I have the biggest respect for him personally and for his legacy, It just got bigger when I received a personal message this morning to wish me all the best and maybe meet in the future when this is possible."
When quizzed about the possibility of adding to his squad during the January transfer window, Tuchel insisted he's keen to show faith in those already at the club, though he failed to completely rule out any new arrivals.
"I have the feeling right now that the guys deserve to be trusted and I want to trust everybody," he added. "If the possibility comes along that we all agree on making us stronger right away we will not hesitate, but it's not like we have the absolute need to do something."
Source : 90min