REVEALED: no Champions league no new contract for Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel will be offered a contract extension by Chelsea at the end of his 18-month deal if the new head coach hits a series of performance targets.

Sportsmail can reveal that the contract Tuchel signed last week is heavily incentivised and contains clauses triggering an option for him to stay if the German keeps Chelsea in the Champions League for the next two seasons.

Tuchel admitted before Sunday’s 2-0 win over Burnley that he was initially unhappy at only being offered an 18-month deal — but the chance to extend the deal if he is successful alleviated his concerns.

During exploratory talks with the club before they dismissed Frank Lampard last month, the 47-year-old was initially lukewarm about joining Chelsea mid-season, but changed his mind after being told that they could not guarantee the job would be available at the end of the campaign.

Chelsea also approached Ralf Rangnick and Julian Nagelsmann towards the end of Lampard’s reign, although Tuchel was always their preferred candidate.

‘At first it was a concern, I was a little like, ‘Oh, why 18 months?’ revealed Tuchel.

‘But after only one minute I thought, “What does it change?” What does it change if they give me four and a half years? They could sack me anyway.

‘If they are not happy with me, they will sack me anyway. And if they gave me four and a half years they would put in a clause that when they sack me, they’ll pay me.’