Relations between Thomas Tuchel and Chelsea's American owners had become increasingly strained in the weeks leading up to his sacking on Wednesday morning, but the German coach was still said to be shocked by the abrupt nature of his dismissal.

That's according to sources for The Sun, who have reported that Tuchel arrived at the club's Cobham training ground the morning after their Champions League capitulation against Dinamo Zagreb to find the complex deserted.

The 49-year-old was then summoned for a conference call with Chelsea chiefs, including chairman Todd Boehly.

At the start of that call, Tuchel is said to have explained to club bosses that turning the team's fortunes around would take time.

However, having suffered three defeats under his stewardship already this season, Tuchel was swiftly informed that he would not be granted that time and told his services were no longer required.

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The whole call is believed to have barely lasted 10 minutes, as Chelsea ruthlessly dispensed with a manager who had guided them to Champions League glory just 15 months ago.

Former Borussia Dortmund head coach Tuchel was then given a brief period to clear his desk and depart, ending a reign that began in January 2021 following the sacking of Frank Lampard.

Tuchel's tension with chairman Boehly

Although Tuchel was seemingly left stunned by the abrupt nature of his dismissal, he is said to have been unhappy with life at the club in recent months - and was even expecting the decision to come during the aftermath of last week's 2-1 defeat at Southampton.

Ever since Boehly and his consortium officially took over at Stamford Bridge in late May, Tuchel has frequently clashed with the new owners.

"The new owners want to be everything. They want to buy the players and coach the players if they can," insisted a source for The Sun.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Thomas Tuchel, Manager of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on August 30, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Chelsea smashed records during the recently-closed summer transfer window, splashing out £253 million on new recruits.

It has been heavily rumoured that Tuchel had little say in much of that spending, with Boehly very much being the driving force behind the Blues' business.

Clash over signing of Cristiano Ronaldo

The 48-year-old entrepreneur didn't get his way on every deal, however, as Tuchel ultimately vetoed a move for Manchester United's Ronaldo.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 04: Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United smiles during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal FC at Old Trafford on September 04, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The Sun claim the German 'didn't support' the plan to bring the five-time Ballon d'Or winner to west London, scuppering Boehly's plan to land a marquee name during his first transfer window at the club.

That stance can't have helped Tuchel's cause much when he allegedly used "colourful language" to vent about the state of the Chelsea squad in a meeting with the owners following the loss to Southampton.

Just months earlier, Tuchel had been in early negotiations to extend his contract with the club. Those talks were inevitably shelved as a result of the lack of harmony at the club.

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 30: Hakim Ziyech of Chelsea looks on during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at Friends Provident St. Mary's Stadium on August 30, 2022 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

While his relationship with the club's board hasn't been great, Tuchel's popularity in the Chelsea dressing room has also taken a hit since the summer.

Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech have been amongst those to take issue with their lack of playing time this season, as Tuchel has struggled to maintain morale throughout the squad.

Ziyech, in particular, cut a frustrated figure in the defeat to Dinamo Zagreb - with some Chelsea fans calling his performance one of the worst they had ever seen.

Ultimately, a combination of the above issues have brought an end to Tuchel's time at Stamford Bridge.

As one of only two men to deliver the Champions League for Chelsea, Tuchel's place in club history is secure.

The first few weeks of the 2022/23 season, though, certainly won't be fondly remembered as part of his legacy.